Suwannee River BMAP StoryMap

Dark winding waters of Suwannee River stretch ahead with white sandy banks and dense tree cover.

Background

The Suwannee River Basin Management Action Plan (BMAP) area is comprised of three sub-basins (Lower Suwannee River, Middle Suwannee River, and Withlacoochee River). This BMAP encompasses more than a million acres located in eastern Dixie, eastern Madison, western Hamilton, northeast and eastern Lafayette, western Levy, western Gilchrist, small pockets of Taylor and Columbia counties, and the majority of Suwannee County. The BMAP area contains 62 first- and second-magnitude springs. Additionally, there are 113 lesser magnitude springs in the BMAP area. Seven impaired springs are addressed in the BMAP; Fanning Springs, Manatee Spring, Falmouth Spring, Troy Spring, Lafayette Blue Spring, Madison Blue Spring, and Peacock Springs. This area includes the surface water basin as well as the groundwater contributing areas for the springs (or springsheds). Springsheds were delineated or reviewed by Suwannee River Water Management District (SRWMD) with input from the Florida Geological Survey (FGS).

The BMAP was adopted to implement the total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) for the protection and restoration of the river and springs. DEP adopted nutrient TMDLs for certain waters in the Suwannee River Basin, including the Middle and Lower Suwannee River, Fanning Springs, Manatee Spring, Falmouth Spring, Troy Spring, Lafayette Blue, Peacock Springs, and Madison Blue Spring. The TMDLs established a monthly average nitrate target of 0.35 milligrams per liter (mg/L) of nitrate for the Suwannee River and associated springs.

The BMAP addresses nutrient impairment in Suwannee River, which was verified as impaired under the Florida Watershed Restoration Act (FWRA) (Chapter 403.067, Florida Statutes [F.S.]) and the Impaired Surface Waters Rule (IWR) (Rule 62-303, Florida Administrative Code [F.A.C.]). This BMAP provides for phased implementation under Subparagraph 403.067(7)(a)1, F.S., and this adaptive management process will continue until the TMDL is met. Subsection 403.067, F.S., requires agricultural nonpoint sources in a BMAP area either to implement the applicable Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS)-adopted Best Management Practices (BMPs), which provides a presumption of compliance with water quality standards, or conduct water quality monitoring prescribed by DEP or Suwannee River Water Management District (SRWMD) that demonstrates compliance with water quality standards.

The BMAP documents the management actions that have been or will be undertaken by local, regional, state, or private entities to reduce the amount of nitrogen released into the Upper Floridan aquifer (UFA), which is the source of flow in Suwannee River. Reducing the amounts of nitrogen entering the UFA will help achieve the water quality standards and designated uses established by DEP. The Suwannee River is designated as Class III, suitable for recreational use and for the propagation and maintenance of a healthy, well-balanced population of fish and wildlife. It is also designated as Outstanding Florida Waters (OFWs). 

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Nitrogen Sources

Spring systems are impaired due to elevated nitrogen concentrations. Many sources contribute nitrogen in each springshed. The Nitrogen Source Inventory Loading Tool (NSILT) is currently being updated for the BMAP updates. 

Dark winding waters of Suwannee River stretch ahead with white sandy banks and dense tree cover.
Dark winding waters of Suwannee River stretch ahead with white sandy banks and dense tree cover.

Policies

The BMAP addresses nutrient impairment in Suwannee River, which was verified as impaired under the Florida Watershed Restoration Act (FWRA) (Chapter 403.067, Florida Statutes [F.S.]) and the Impaired Surface Waters Rule (IWR) (Rule 62-303, Florida Administrative Code [F.A.C.]). This BMAP provides for phased implementation under Subparagraph 403.067(7)(a)1, F.S., and this adaptive management process will continue until the TMDL is met. 

The BMAP documents the management actions that have been or will be undertaken by local, regional, state, or private entities to reduce the amount of nitrogen released into the Upper Floridan aquifer (UFA), which is the source of flow in Suwannee River. Reducing the amounts of nitrogen entering the UFA will help achieve the water quality standards and designated uses established by DEP. The Suwannee River is designated as Class III, suitable for recreational use and for the propagation and maintenance of a healthy, well-balanced population of fish and wildlife. It is also designated as Outstanding Florida Waters (OFWs). 

Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal System (OSTDS) Remediation Policy

  • Installation of New OSTDS
    • This OSTDS remediation plan prohibits new conventional systems on lots of less than one acre within the BMAP, unless the OSTDS includes enhanced treatment of nitrogen or unless the OSTDS permit applicant demonstrates that sewer connections will be available within five years.
  • Modification or Repair of Existing OSTDS
    • The remediation policy for existing systems applies to all existing OSTDS within the BMAP lots of all sizes.
    • Upon the need for repair or replacement, an existing OSTDS must include at least one of the following nitrogen reducing enhancements listed in the BMAP document, unless the OSTDS permit applicant demonstrates that sewer connections will be available within five years.
    • All conventional OSTDS in areas subject to the remediation policy for existing systems are required to adopt enhanced treatment of nitrogen or connect to sewer no later than 20 years after BMAP adoption.

Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTF) Effluent Standards

  • The Florida Springs and Aquifer Protection Act prohibits new domestic wastewater disposal facilities in the PFA, including Rapid Infiltration Basins (RIBs), with permitted capacities of 100,000 gpd or more, except for those facilities that provide advanced wastewater treatment (AWT) that reduces total nitrogen in the effluent to 3 mg/L or lower, on an annual permitted basis. DEP requires the nitrogen effluent limits listed below in any new or existing wastewater permit, unless the utility/entity can demonstrate reasonable assurance that the reuse or land application of effluent would not cause or contribute to an exceedance of the nitrate concentrations established by the Kings Bay Spring Group/Kings Bay TMDLs.
  • The nitrogen effluent limits listed in the table will be applied as an annual average to all new and existing WWTFs with a DEP-permitted discharge. New effluent standards will take effect at the time of permit issuance or renewal or no later than five years after BMAP adoption, whichever is sooner.
A table with nitrogen concentration limits for wastewater treatment facilities based on permitted capacity and disposal method.

Agriculture

  • Subsection 403.067, F.S., requires agricultural nonpoint sources in a BMAP area either to implement the applicable Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS)-adopted Best Management Practices (BMPs), which provides a presumption of compliance with water quality standards, or conduct water quality monitoring prescribed by DEP or Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) that demonstrates compliance with water quality standards.
  • Based on the Florida Springs and Aquifer Protection Act, Subsection 373.811(5), F.S., prohibits any new agricultural operations within the BMAP that does not implement applicable FDACS BMPs, measures necessary to achieve pollution reduction levels established by DEP, or groundwater monitoring plans approved by a Water Management District (WMD) or DEP.
  • FDACS will work with applicable producers within the BMAP area to implement BMPs.
  • Further reductions may be achieved through implementing additional agricultural projects or practices, including land acquisition and conservation easements.
Vibrant landscape of vegetation along steep slopes leading down to bright blue water of Lafayette Blue Springs State Park.
Vibrant landscape of vegetation along steep slopes leading down to bright blue water of Lafayette Blue Springs State Park.

Water Quality

Monitoring

Monitoring is required by all BMAPs. The purpose of the monitoring network is to support the evaluation of progress made toward achieving the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) target nitrate concentration for the impaired springs. 

BMAP implementation involves an iterative process, therefore, the monitoring efforts are related to primary and secondary objectives. The primary objectives focus on achieving water quality targets, while the secondary objectives focus on water quality parameters that can be used to provide information for future refinements of the BMAP. The monitoring strategy may be updated as necessary.  

Documenting water quality improvements for the springs will require periodic surface water sampling at the spring vent, groundwater monitoring, and biological monitoring. Surface water quality data are collected to determine if TMDL nitrate targets are being achieved. Flow data are collected in support of the secondary objective of calculating total nitrogen (TN) loading and tracking changes in TN loading in the basin. Groundwater well data are collected because the Upper Floridan Aquifer (UFA) well network is expected to respond to changes in nitrate concentration before the spring vents and rivers and will help identify the response of the UFA nitrate levels to different land uses and recharge rates. 

At a minimum, the core parameters will be tracked to determine the progress that has been made towards meeting the TMDL and/or achieving the numeric nutrient criteria (NNC). For this BMAP, nitrate is considered to be the key core parameter measured to track progress in decreasing nitrogen concentrations in groundwater and the water surfacing at the spring vent. The other parameters are considered supplementary parameters for the BMAP, as they build information about water quality in the groundwater and at the spring vent but are not direct measurements of impairment. 

Biological responses to BMAP implementation may also be tracked. A significant amount of time may be needed for changes to be observed. 

DEP uses several monitoring tools designed to measure direct biological response to the water quality improvement or decline in springs. Rapid periphyton surveys (RPS) are conducted to assess the extent and abundance of attached algae (periphyton) and evaluate the autecological information associated with the dominant algae. Linear vegetation surveys (LVS) are conducted to assess the types and density of vegetation present and to identify the native versus non-native species. The LVS was designed to evaluate the ecological condition by determining how closely a site’s flora resembles that of an undisturbed system. Stream Condition Index (SCI) will be conducted to measure the number of different organisms present in the river and/or springs. In addition, habitat assessments (HAs) are conducted to assess the conditions and habitat present to support the SCI evaluation. Water quality samples should also be collected with the biological monitoring. 

DEP continuously monitors the effectiveness of the monitoring network to fulfill the objectives stated in the BMAP and will continue to coordinate within and across jurisdictions to achieve water quality targets. 

Water Quality

The Protecting Florida Together water quality map delivers statewide water quality information. On this site, you can explore the Florida regions that are of interest to you. Individual waterbodies are color-coded based on the assessment status of nutrients and whether they are meeting standards. 

The water quality map has information on impairments under the “Water Impairment” tab based on the DEP watershed assessment process, in accordance with the Impaired Waters Rule. When sufficient data is available, you can click the button called “View Waterbody Trends” to see a graph of annual geometric mean concentrations (AGMs) for each parameter over the last 10 years. Additionally, the “Get More Data” button below the graphs allows users to search for additional monitoring data from the statewide database,  Watershed Information Network . 

The Protecting Florida Together water quality maps and graphs can be accessed at the following link. 

Projects

This BMAP provides for phased implementation under Subparagraph 403.067(7)(a)1, F.S. The management actions and adaptive management approach described in the BMAP will address nitrogen reductions needed to meet the TMDL. This adaptive management process will continue until the TMDL is met. BMAP implementation will be a long-term process. The adaptive management approach used for this BMAP requires regular follow-up to ensure that management strategies are carried out and that their incremental effects are assessed. This type of approach acknowledges that there is some uncertainty associated with the outcomes of proposed management strategies. In subsequent five-year management cycles, progress will be evaluated and adjustments made or new projects added, as needed, to meet the TMDL. 

Stakeholders submitted management strategies to the department with the understanding that the strategies would be included in the BMAP, thus requiring each entity to implement the proposed strategies in a timely way and achieve the assigned load reduction estimates. Projects implemented in this BMAP that could have a significant impact in reducing nitrogen loads to the springs include agricultural improvements in animal waste management and reductions in fertilizer use, cost-share programs, wastewater treatment upgrades, conversion of septic systems to central sewer, and fertilizer ordinances. 

Examples of stakeholder projects for the Suwannee River BMAP to reduce nitrogen sources:

  • Stormwater improvements for bank stabilization and erosion control, flooding prevention, and water quality improvement.
  • Connection of septic to central sewer.
  • Upgrade of wastewater treatment plants for better nitrogen removal.
  • Cost share programs with agriculture to improve irrigation efficiency and reduce fertilizer use.
  • Hydrologic restoration of wetlands to establish natural flows to the aquifer and improve recharge rates.
  • Adopting further fertilizer management and landscape irrigation ordinances to reduce runoff and nutrient loading.
  • Community outreach and education on water resources and nutrient pollution.

The BMAP implementation process uses adaptive management to adjust when circumstances change, or monitoring indicates the need for additional or more effective restoration strategies. Adaptive management measures may include recommending additional restoration projects, updating the information in the water quality model, updating the model itself, adjusting allocations, or including new statutory requirements.

Information on progress in the Suwannee River BMAP can be found in the latest   Statewide Annual Report. 

Progress

Annually, DEP works with stakeholders to track BMAP project implementation and to review progress. The updated project list for the prior calendar year is presented by July 1 in the Statewide Annual Report. A complete project list can be downloaded from this site, for those interested in detailed project information.  To promote progress and implementation, BMAP stakeholders meet annually to follow up on plan implementation, share new information, and continue to coordinate TMDL restoration–related issues. 

In this BMAP, the following statements provide an indication of the challenges related to reducing pollutants from different sources.

Overall

Total nitrogen reductions are not on track to meet the next milestone. Urban Turfgrass Fertilizer (UTF)/Sports Turfgrass Fertilizer (STF)

  • Local entities have struggled to identify and fund additional urban stormwater projects to achieve the necessary reductions.
  • Implementation of source control measures is needed to decrease the amount of nutrient loading. Examples of source controls include public education and local ordinances to address residential fertilizer, over-irrigation, and pet waste.

Farm Fertilizer/Livestock Waste/Dairies

  • Many agricultural producers are not compliant in their requirements to enroll in applicable BMPs or conduct water quality monitoring.
  • Since owner-implemented BMPs are also cost effective, these BMPs may have been implemented prior to enrollment and are, therefore, not a new reduction in loading.
  • Agricultural cost-share implementation may be needed to address these sources.
  • As agricultural loadings are the prevailing source of loadings in this BMAP, substantial regional projects and advanced BMPs, which are the responsibility of the state, need to be identified and implemented to reduce agricultural loads.
  • More information is needed on agricultural practices that improve loads to groundwater for springs protection.

Wastewater

  • The wastewater provisions in the BMAP have not yet been fully implemented but will be added as permits are renewed.
  • Legal challenges to this BMAP delayed the implementation of additional domestic wastewater provisions. 

OSTDS

  • This BMAP has additional requirements for OSTDS enhancement or septic-to-sewer conversions that have recently gone into effect and have not been fully implemented.
  • Legal challenges to this BMAP delayed the implementation of provisions for OSTDS enhancement or septic-to-sewer conversion projects.

Contacts & More Information

For more information on the Suwannee River BMAP, please contact:

Chandler Keenan

Phone: 850-245-8555

Resources

Monitoring Station List

For more information on the Division of Environmental Assessment and Restoration's BMAP program,  click here.  

For more information on all of the restoration plans developed with specific provisions for the protection and restoration of the state’s Outstanding Florida Springs,  click here  .