Tracey Piccone, P.E. August 10, 2004 Tracey Piccone, P.E. August 10, 2004 STA-1W Cell 5 Limerock...

Tracey Piccone, P.E.August 10, 2004

Tracey Piccone, P.E.August 10, 2004

STA-1W Cell 5 Limerock Berm

2003 Outstanding Project of the Year

STA-1W Cell 5 Limerock Berm

2003 Outstanding Project of the Year

Palm Beach County Branch of the American

Society of Civil Engineers Palm Beach County Branch of the American

Society of Civil Engineers

“There are no other Everglades in the

world…

“There are no other Everglades in the

world…

They are, they have always been, one of the unique regions of the earth, remote, never wholly known. Nothing anywhere else is like them: their vast glittering openness, wider than the enormous visible round of the horizon, the racing free saltness and sweetness of their massive winds, under the dazzling blue heights of space. They are unique also in the simplicity, the diversity, and the related harmony of the forms of life they enclose. The miracle of light pours over the green and brown expanse of saw grass and of water, shining and slow-moving below, the grass and water that is the central fact of the Everglades of Florida. It is a river of grass.” Marjory Stoneman Douglas

The Everglades: River of Grass (1947)

They are, they have always been, one of the unique regions of the earth, remote, never wholly known. Nothing anywhere else is like them: their vast glittering openness, wider than the enormous visible round of the horizon, the racing free saltness and sweetness of their massive winds, under the dazzling blue heights of space. They are unique also in the simplicity, the diversity, and the related harmony of the forms of life they enclose. The miracle of light pours over the green and brown expanse of saw grass and of water, shining and slow-moving below, the grass and water that is the central fact of the Everglades of Florida. It is a river of grass.” Marjory Stoneman Douglas

The Everglades: River of Grass (1947)

Sawgrass and tree islands

Everglades landscape

Sawgrass prairie

Everglades landscape

Everglades RestorationEverglades Restoration

4 major problems facing Everglades ecosystem: Reduction in spatial extent of wetlands Degradation of water quality

(e.g., phosphorus and mercury) Disruption of hydropatterns

(i.e., timing, volume & distribution) Infestation by exotic plant species

4 major problems facing Everglades ecosystem: Reduction in spatial extent of wetlands Degradation of water quality

(e.g., phosphorus and mercury) Disruption of hydropatterns

(i.e., timing, volume & distribution) Infestation by exotic plant species

Everyone wanted to protect the Everglades…

The hard part was getting started.

Everyone wanted to protect the Everglades…

The hard part was getting started.

Early Everglades Restoration Activities

Early Everglades Restoration Activities

1972 - Florida Water Resources Act 1978 - Comprehensive Everglades

ecosystem monitoring begins 1979 - Lake Okeechobee Program

Interim Action Plan LOTAC recommendations

1987 - SWIM program initiated

1972 - Florida Water Resources Act 1978 - Comprehensive Everglades

ecosystem monitoring begins 1979 - Lake Okeechobee Program

Interim Action Plan LOTAC recommendations

1987 - SWIM program initiated

Prototype - Everglades Nutrient Removal ProjectPrototype - Everglades Nutrient Removal Project

August 1988 - Gov. Martinez authorized the District to build a constructed wetland

3,800 acres of prior ag land

Volunteer recruitment of vegetation

Design target 50 ppb Consistently reduced phosphorus to <25 ppb!

August 1988 - Gov. Martinez authorized the District to build a constructed wetland

3,800 acres of prior ag land

Volunteer recruitment of vegetation

Design target 50 ppb Consistently reduced phosphorus to <25 ppb!

Everglades Nutrient Removal Project

1988 - Highs and Lows1988 - Highs and Lows

Everglades identified as a priority water body for purpose of SWIM

Everglades Nutrient Removal project authorized

Federal lawsuit filed ...

Everglades identified as a priority water body for purpose of SWIM

Everglades Nutrient Removal project authorized

Federal lawsuit filed ...

“This was a National Forest before the Everglades Lawsuits”

The wheels of progress turned ...The wheels of progress turned ...

1991 Everglades Protection Act 1991 Federal Settlement

Agreement 1991 permit applications filed 1992 Federal Consent Decree 1992 Conceptual Design of STAs 1992 Everglades SWIM Plan

… resulting in ...

1991 Everglades Protection Act 1991 Federal Settlement

Agreement 1991 permit applications filed 1992 Federal Consent Decree 1992 Conceptual Design of STAs 1992 Everglades SWIM Plan

… resulting in ...

Litigation Averted!Litigation Averted! In December 1992, all parties entered into formal

mediated dispute resolution July 1993 Statement of Principles – joint

commitment to: end litigation, construct STAs, implement BMPs in EAA,provide funding

April 1994 - Everglades Forever Act

In December 1992, all parties entered into formal mediated dispute resolution

July 1993 Statement of Principles – joint commitment to: end litigation, construct STAs, implement BMPs in EAA,provide funding

April 1994 - Everglades Forever Act

1994 Everglades Forever Act1994 Everglades Forever Act Construction

Stormwater Treatment Areas (STAs) Diversion and hydropattern restoration

Research Phosphorus criterion research STA optimization research

Regulation BMPs Phosphorus criterion rulemaking Permitting of structures discharging into,

through or from the Everglades

Construction Stormwater Treatment Areas (STAs) Diversion and hydropattern restoration

Research Phosphorus criterion research STA optimization research

Regulation BMPs Phosphorus criterion rulemaking Permitting of structures discharging into,

through or from the Everglades

ECP Basins:

STA-1E

STA-1W

STA-2

STA-3/4

STA-5

STA-6

ESP Basins:

ACME Basin“B”

North SpringsImprovementDistrict

North NewRiver Canal(G-123)

C-11 West

L-28

Feeder CanalC-111

1994 Everglades Forever Act (cont.)

1994 Everglades Forever Act (cont.)

Achieve state water quality standards in the EPA by 12/31/06

Submit application to FDEP by 12/31/03 for long-term water quality measures plan for achieving compliance with state water

quality standards cost estimates, funding mechanisms, schedules

Achieve state water quality standards in the EPA by 12/31/06

Submit application to FDEP by 12/31/03 for long-term water quality measures plan for achieving compliance with state water

quality standards cost estimates, funding mechanisms, schedules

Everglades Construction Project Initial Phase

Everglades Construction Project Initial Phase

One of the largest environmental restoration programs undertaken by a public agency $720 million in acquisition, design and construction Over 42,000 acres of treatment wetlands

Initial goal: 50 ppb phosphorus Performance to date has exceeded expectations!

Discharges have averaged about 41 ppb Approximately 1,730 metric tons of phosphorus

removed (BMPs and STAs combined)

One of the largest environmental restoration programs undertaken by a public agency $720 million in acquisition, design and construction Over 42,000 acres of treatment wetlands

Initial goal: 50 ppb phosphorus Performance to date has exceeded expectations!

Discharges have averaged about 41 ppb Approximately 1,730 metric tons of phosphorus

removed (BMPs and STAs combined)

Constructed WetlandAgricultural Land

Design target: 50 ppb

Phosphorus Reduction

Phosphorus Removal in STAs

Inflow Outflow

Uptake byFloating Plants

Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Uptake

Groundwater Groundwater

Uptake by Floating and Attached Algae

StormwaterInflow ( 130 ppb)

Low phosphorus water to EPA ( ppb)

Phosphorus in new peat soil

Plant remainsand ParticlesDeposit P

Uptake by Emergent plants

Aerial view of STA-1W

Aerial view of STA-1W

Figure 1. STA-1W Structures & Flow*

WCA-1

G-300

S-5A

Cell 5BG-301

G-302G-327A

G-310

1

3

2

4

5A

G-306A-J

Remote Structure

Manual Structure

Passive Structure

Inflow

Treatment Flow

Outflow

Seepage Return

Diversion Flow

G-303

G-309

G-308

G-251

G-255

G-256

G-304A-J

G-305A-V

G-253A-J

G-254A-E

G-250S N

Arthur R. MarshallLoxahatchee National

Wildlife Refuge

G-258

G-259

*Not to Scale

L-40Canal

L-7 Canal

Location oflimerock berm

Full Scale STA EnhancementsFull Scale STA Enhancements

Limerock Berm constructed in Cell 5 of STA-1W to help redistribute flow and enhance phosphorus removal performance.

Construction of the Limerock Berm was completed last summer by the Jones Company of South Florida, a 100% MBE/WBE owned firm.

The Limerock Berm is about 6,900 feet long and consists of more than 22,000 tons of limerock material.

The project is currently in the monitoring phase and a report documenting the performance of the Limerock Berm is to be completed in 2006.

Limerock Berm constructed in Cell 5 of STA-1W to help redistribute flow and enhance phosphorus removal performance.

Construction of the Limerock Berm was completed last summer by the Jones Company of South Florida, a 100% MBE/WBE owned firm.

The Limerock Berm is about 6,900 feet long and consists of more than 22,000 tons of limerock material.

The project is currently in the monitoring phase and a report documenting the performance of the Limerock Berm is to be completed in 2006.

Full Scale STA EnhancementsFull Scale STA Enhancements

The Limerock Berm demonstration project is being funded by a cost-share grant agreement between the District and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The grant funding is being provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The Limerock Berm demonstration project is being funded by a cost-share grant agreement between the District and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The grant funding is being provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Limerock Berm ConstructionLimerock Berm Construction

Limerock Berm ConstructionLimerock Berm Construction

Limerock MaterialLimerock Material

Limerock Berm AerialLimerock Berm Aerial

Limerock Berm Limerock Berm

Limerock Berm Early Monitoring Results

Limerock Berm Early Monitoring Results

STA-1W Cell 5 OutflowG-306 C-D&G Weekly Geomeans

Preliminary Data

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

5/4

/99

7/4

/99

9/4

/99

11/4

/99

1/4

/00

3/4

/00

5/4

/00

7/4

/00

9/4

/00

11/4

/00

1/4

/01

3/4

/01

5/4

/01

7/4

/01

9/4

/01

11/4

/01

1/4

/02

3/4

/02

5/4

/02

7/4

/02

9/4

/02

11/4

/02

1/4

/03

3/4

/03

5/4

/03

7/4

/03

9/4

/03

11/4

/03

1/4

/04

3/4

/04

5/4

/04

7/4

/04

To

tal

Ph

osp

ho

rus (

pp

b)

Pre-Berm Baseline Post-Berm

geomean = 56 ppb geomean = 41 ppb

STA-1W Cell 5 OutflowG-306 C-D&G Weekly Geomeans

Preliminary Data

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

5/4

/99

7/4

/99

9/4

/99

11/4

/99

1/4

/00

3/4

/00

5/4

/00

7/4

/00

9/4

/00

11/4

/00

1/4

/01

3/4

/01

5/4

/01

7/4

/01

9/4

/01

11/4

/01

1/4

/02

3/4

/02

5/4

/02

7/4

/02

9/4

/02

11/4

/02

1/4

/03

3/4

/03

5/4

/03

7/4

/03

9/4

/03

11/4

/03

1/4

/04

3/4

/04

5/4

/04

7/4

/04

To

tal

Ph

osp

ho

rus (

pp

b)

Pre-Berm Baseline Post-Berm

geomean = 56 ppb geomean = 41 ppb

Achieving Long-Term Water Quality Goals

Achieving Long-Term Water Quality Goals

Will require additional STA enhancements Compartmentalization - hydraulic redistribution Vegetation management Operational refinements

Adaptive management - incorporate results from on-going research and field observations

Long-Term Plan for Achieving Water Quality Goals for the Everglades prepared by technical working group comprised of various stakeholders

Will require additional STA enhancements Compartmentalization - hydraulic redistribution Vegetation management Operational refinements

Adaptive management - incorporate results from on-going research and field observations

Long-Term Plan for Achieving Water Quality Goals for the Everglades prepared by technical working group comprised of various stakeholders

Long-Term Plan Long-Term Plan Contains projects designed to achieve compliance

with water quality standards including the phosphorus criterion in the Everglades Protection Area.

In 2003, the Florida Legislature endorsed the Plan in an amended version of the EFA.

Also in 2003, Plan recognized in the phosphorus rule adopted by the ERC as BAPRT.

Plan was included in District’s December 2003 long-term permit application to the FDEP. 

Plan includes integrating with CERP project objectives and synchronizing schedules to avoid duplicative and unnecessary costs as required by the amended EFA.

Contains projects designed to achieve compliance with water quality standards including the phosphorus criterion in the Everglades Protection Area.

In 2003, the Florida Legislature endorsed the Plan in an amended version of the EFA.

Also in 2003, Plan recognized in the phosphorus rule adopted by the ERC as BAPRT.

Plan was included in District’s December 2003 long-term permit application to the FDEP. 

Plan includes integrating with CERP project objectives and synchronizing schedules to avoid duplicative and unnecessary costs as required by the amended EFA.

Where are we today?Where are we today? Long-Term Plan is being implemented

Design is underway for Pre-2006 Projects (STA Enhancements) with construction to start late 2004

BMP programs are being expanded Research & monitoring are

progressing Projects are being integrated with

CERP projects

Long-Term Plan is being implemented Design is underway for Pre-2006

Projects (STA Enhancements) with construction to start late 2004

BMP programs are being expanded Research & monitoring are

progressing Projects are being integrated with

CERP projects

For More Information:For More Information: www.sfwmd.gov

http://www.sfwmd.gov/org/erd/ecp/3_ecp.html http://www.sfwmd.gov/org/erd/bsfboard/bsfsboard.htm http://www.sfwmd.gov/org/erd/longtermplan/index.shtml

2004 Everglades Consolidated Report Summary of all available data available on-line:

http://www.sfwmd.gov/org/ema/everglades/index.html

Tracey Piccone, P.E. (561) 682-6495 tpiccone@sfwmd.gov

www.sfwmd.gov http://www.sfwmd.gov/org/erd/ecp/3_ecp.html http://www.sfwmd.gov/org/erd/bsfboard/bsfsboard.htm http://www.sfwmd.gov/org/erd/longtermplan/index.shtml

2004 Everglades Consolidated Report Summary of all available data available on-line:

http://www.sfwmd.gov/org/ema/everglades/index.html

Tracey Piccone, P.E. (561) 682-6495 tpiccone@sfwmd.gov

Questions?Questions?