EVERGLADES WATER QUALITY
WILL DEP WATER DOWN A TOUGH STANDARD?

We are Losing the Everglades; Day By Day

Federal and state politicians usually herald the $8 billion Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) as the hallmark of their commitment to the environment. However, the viability of the entire Everglades restoration will be thwarted if the loss of the central Everglades marshes to phosphorus pollution is not stopped quickly. Studies done for DEP and the South Florida Water Management District document the rapid spread of cattails, loss of beneficial periphyton mat and other species shifts directly related to the effect of water column phosphorus causing elevated phosphorus levels in the soils of the Everglades water conservation areas. Rapid progression of the deterioration of Everglades Conservation Area 2 between 1990 and 1998 underscores the gravity of the situation. The expansion of phosphorus destruction of the ecosystem is marching forward at a rate between 2 and 9 acres every day.

Even with the implementation of "best management practices" by the sugar industry, and the initial startup of Stormwater Treatment Area operation, the conversion of healthy Everglades in WCA 2 to areas with enriched soils, cattail thickets, and lost periphyton communities continues unabated.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Contact the following public officials. Urge them to:

• Set a 10 ppb Phosphorus Criterion for the Everglades.
   
• Avoid inclusion of "relief mechanisms" such as variances, or mixing zones of any kind in any rule adopted.
   
• Handle monitoring provisions and remedial measures in the event of violations through the process established for "Long Term Compliance Permits" under the Everglades Forever Act. Don't invent new procedures and attempt to adopt them by rule.
   
• Rely on the default standard rather than accept a bad compromise to get a rule adopted.