The Florida Trustee Implementation Group has released its Draft Restoration Plan 3 and Environmental Assessment: Water Quality (PDF, 244 pages) for public comment through April 8, 2024. We will conduct a public webinar on March 27, 2024 (see details below).
Draft Restoration Plan 3 and Environmental Assessment
In November 2022, the Florida Trustee Implementation Group invited public input to identify water quality restoration opportunities. After screening project ideas, the Trustees narrowed the list to 13 water quality projects comprising the reasonable range of alternatives for evaluation in this draft restoration plan. In August 2023, the Florida Trustee Implementation Group notified the public that it began drafting its third restoration plan. The Florida Trustee Implementation Group is proposing 11 preferred alternatives for implementation, at a total estimated cost of approximately $111.5 million. If ultimately selected in the final restoration plan, after considering public comment, these projects would be funded through the Water Quality Restoration Type.
The draft plan and proposed projects are consistent with the Trustees’ Programmatic Restoration Plan and propose a variety of water quality restoration techniques. The preferred alternatives would improve water quality through:
- Evaluating existing data and collecting additional data to identify sources of bacterial pollution to help prioritize restoration strategies;
- Erosion and sediment control practices at unpaved road stream crossings;
- Traditional stormwater control measures, such as retrofitting existing stormwater management systems and constructing a stormwater park;
- Septic tank decommissioning and connecting homes to existing central sewer systems; and
- Restoring hydrologic connections to enhance coastal habitats.
Public Comment and Webinar
The public is encouraged to review and comment on the draft plan through April 8, 2024 by submitting comments online, by mail, or during the public webinar. After the public comment period concludes, the Trustees will review, consider, and address comments prior to the release of the Final Restoration Plan 3 and Environmental Assessment. The draft plan can be accessed at the link below, and comments can be provided through one of the following mechanisms:
- Online: https://parkplanning.nps.gov/FLTIGRP3
- By mail:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Gulf Restoration Office
1875 Century Blvd.
Atlanta, GA 30345
We will hold a public webinar on March 27, 2024 at 3:00 pm Eastern Time / 2:00 pm Central Time. We will present a summary of the draft plan and take comments during the webinar.
- Register for the webinar at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8172353705750284118
- After registering, participants will receive a confirmation email with instructions for joining the webinar. A GoToWebinar system check is recommended before attending.
You may request a flash drive containing the Draft RP3/EA by contacting one of the below individuals:
- Sarah Ketron; Florida Department of Environmental Protection; 850-245-2167; Sarah.Ketron@FloridaDEP.gov.
- Tripp Boone; Environmental Protection Agency; 228-209-7555; Boone.Tripp@epa.gov.
Plan Document
Draft Restoration Plan 3 and Environmental Assessment (PDF, 244 pages)
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