Long-Term Plan for Achieving Water Quality Goals

The Long-Term Plan is a comprehensive set of water quality improvement measures designed to ensure that all waters entering the Everglades Protection Area (EPA) achieve compliance with water quality standards. These measures include enhancements to the existing Stormwater Treatment Areas (STAs), expanded best management practices and integration with the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) projects. In addition, the Plan continues the strong science-based and adaptive implementation philosophy to allow continuous improvement until the long-term water quality goal is achieved.

The Long-Term Plan was developed in response to the 1994 Everglades Forever Act (F.S. 373.4592) requirement that the District submit to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) a plan by Dec. 31, 2003, for achieving compliance with the phosphorus, and other state water quality standards in the EPA, and to include the estimated costs, funding mechanisms and implementation schedules associated with the plan. In response to this requirement, the Long-Term Plan for Achieving Water Quality Goals (The Long-Term Plan) was developed.