Everglades Restoration Using Large-Scale Treatment Wetlands on Former Agricultural Lands

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1 Everglades Restoration Using Large-Scale Treatment Wetlands on Former Agricultural Lands Gary Goforth, P.E., Ph.D.

2 Overview Everglades Restoration Background Stormwater Treatment Areas Land Acquisition Performance Recreation

3 The Historic Everglades Ecosystem Sawgrass and tree islands River of Grass Sawgrass prairie & open water sloughs

4 Major Problems Facing Everglades Loss of Everglades habitat Disruption of hydropatterns (i.e., timing, volume & distribution) Repetitive water shortages and salt water intrusion 1.7 billion gallons of water a day wasted to tide Degradation of water quality Exotic plant species

5 Everglades Forever Act 1991, amended 1994 and 2003 Achieve state water quality standards by 12/31/06 Construction Stormwater Treatment Areas Diversion and hydropattern restoration Research Phosphorus criterion research Advanced treatment technology research Regulation Best Management Practices (BMPs)

6 Everglades Construction Project Multiple objectives: Nutrient reduction, Water supply, Hydropattern restoration, Reduce freshwater discharges to estuaries

7 Stormwater Treatment Areas Stormwater Treatment Areas STAs are constructed wetlands that remove and store nutrients through plant growth and the accumulation of dead plant material in a layer of peat.

8 Emergent Vegetation Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Periphyton-based Stormwater Treatment Area (PSTA)

9 Acreage 20,000 18,000 16,000 14,000 12,000 10,000 8,000 6,000 4,000 2,000 0 Land Acquisition for the STAs Total of 46,161 acres Wildlife Management Area Former Ag Land STA-1E STA-1W STA-2 STA-3/4 STA-5 STA-6

10 Land Acquisition Costs for the STAs Averaged $4,800/acre $12,000 $10,000 Price per Acre $8,000 $6,000 $4,000 $2,000 $- STA 1 East STA 1 West STA 2 STA 3/4 STA 5 STA 6

11 Revenue Projections Federal Revenue, $198,900,000 Other Income, $41,220,553 EAA Ag Privilege Tax, $226,069,495 P2000 Funds, $33,000,000 FPL Mitigation, $14,000,000 Alligator Alley Tolls, $27,327,500 Ad Valorem Tax, $324,977,597 C-139 Ag Privilege Tax, $11,684,949

12 Hazardous Waste Assessment Associated with Land Acquisition 1. Vastly different pesticide program than around Lake Apopka reduced potential for DDT-type contamination in the EAA. 2. Very aggressive assessment and remediation process was used for the STAs excavation and backfill 3. Extensive post-construction monitoring and observations have verified the efficacy of assessment and remediation.

13 East Beach Water Conservation District da cy District South Shore Drainage District East ShoreWater Conservation District STA 1E STA-1W

14 STA-2 has a mixture of emergent & submerged vegetation

15 Stormwater Treatment Area 3/4 is the world s largest constructed wetland: over 16,500 acres of former agricultural land. 77 tons of phosphorus removed in WY2005

16 STA-3/4 Everglades 3 parallel Restoration flow-ways Using Large-Scale with emergent Treatment Wetlands vegetation followed by SAV

17 STA-5 4,118 acres of effective treatment area Parallel flow-ways: emergent and the emergent followed by SAV Treated water helping to restore hydroperiod of Rotenberger WMA

18 STA-6

19 STA Discharges Have Averaged 41 ppb Total Phosphorus (kg) 300, , , , ,000 50,000 0 STA Load Reduction Inflow TP Outflow TP Load Reduction (%) May - Aug '05 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% % Reduction

20 Over 700 metric Tons of TP Removed All STA Phosphorus Removal TP Removed Cumulativel Removal 200, ,000 Total Phosphorus (kg) 180, , , , ,000 80,000 60,000 40,000 20, , , , , , , ,000 Cumulative Removal May - Aug '05 0

21 Long-Term Water Quality Solutions Expansion of BMPs (esp. urban basins) Expansion of STAs Additional 19,000 acres Enhancement of STAs Continue strong science-based program to optimize performance Synchronization with CERP projects ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT

22 Increasing Public Access Fishing, hunting, bird watching, hiking & equestrian use Waterfowl hunting in STAs Bird watching in concert with federal and State agencies Plans underway for additional parking, kiosks, and other activities

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