1. Framework Agreement Principals Meeting #5 March 23, 2015 Everglades Water Quality Restoration

2. Welcome, Meeting Purpose and Objective Stormwater Treatment Area Performance Science Plan Downstream Monitoring Consent Order Milestone Report Enforcement Matters Differing Opinions of the Technical Representatives Other Topics/Miscellaneous Agenda 2

3. Welcome, Meeting Purpose and Objective 3

4. Meeting Purpose and Objective Discuss topics required by the Consent Order and Framework Agreement “The Regional Administrator, USEPA Region IV, and the Secretary of FDEP (Principals), and appropriate staff as needed, shall meet twice annually to discuss Everglades water quality conditions and progress toward attainment of water quality standards until each of the STAs meets the WQBEL necessary to meet water quality standards for total phosphorus in the Everglades.” Source: FDEP and USEPA. 2012. Everglades Water Quality Restoration Framework Agreement between U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IV, and Florida Department of Environmental Protection. June 12, 2012. 4

5. Required Discussion Topics Agenda ItemRequired Discussion Topics Stormwater Treatment Area Performance “TP concentrations and loads entering each of the STAs” “TP concentrations and loads discharged from…each of the STAs” “TP concentrations and loads…diverted around each of the STAs” Science Plan “results from research conducted in accordance with the Science Plan described below and in paragraph 13 of the NPDES Consent Order” B Downstream Monitoring “monitoring results for downstream monitoring (as described in paragraph 14 of the NPDES Consent Order)” A Consent Order Milestone Report “progress of the SFWMD in achieving the milestones on the NPDES permits” C Enforcement Matters“enforcement matters as noted in section F” Differing Opinions of Technical Representatives “resolution, as necessary, of any differing technical opinions of the science representatives of the USEPA, FDEP and the SFWMD” Notes: A – “paragraph 14” appears to be a typo; downstream monitoring is described in paragraph 15 B – “paragraph 13” appears to be a typo; the Science Plan is described in paragraph 14 C – “permits” appears to be a typo; corrective actions and deadlines (aka milestones) are provided in the Consent Order 5

6. Stormwater Treatment Area Performance 6

7. Stormwater Treatment Areas (STAs) SFWMD Florida 7

8. Everglades STA1W Lake Okeechobee STA-3/4 STA-2 STA5/6 STA1E N Permitted STA Area 1994: 4,000 acres 1999: 9,000 acres 2000: 18,000 acres 2003: 35,000 acres 2004: 40,000 acres 2006: 45,000 acres 2012: 57,000 acres Stormwater Treatment Areas (STAs) Protection Area EasternFlowpath CentralFlowpath WesternFlowpath 8

9. Water Quality Based Effluent Limit Developed to be protective of the Everglades Protection Area and allow for the achievement of the Everglades phosphorus criterion (1o ppb) established in Rule 62-302.540, F.A.C. WQBEL Total Phosphorus concentrations in the discharge from each STA shall not exceed: – 13 ppb as an annual flow-weighted mean (FWM) in more than 3 out of 5 water years on a rolling basis; and – 19 ppb as an annual flow-weighted mean (AFWM) in any water year 9

10. STA Inflows and Outflows Total Phosphorus Concentration – All STAs combined Flow-weighted Mean (FWM) TP (ppb) Inflow (acre-feet) Note: Contains provisional data which is subject to change 10

11. STA Inflows and Outflows (cont’d) Total Phosphorus Load – All STAs combined Total Phosphorus Load (metric tons) TP Load Retained (%) Note: Contains provisional data which is subject to change TP Load Reduction of 84% is highest on record (WY2013, WY2015) 11

12. STA Inflows and Outflows (cont’d) Total Phosphorus Concentration – Individual STAs Note: Contains provisional data which is subject to change 12

13. STA Inflows and Outflows (cont’d) Total Phosphorus Concentration – Individual STAs Note: Contains provisional data which is subject to change 13

14. STA Inflows and Outflows (cont’d) Total Phosphorus Concentration – Individual STAs Note: Contains provisional data which is subject to change WCA-3A 14

15. STA Inflows and Outflows (cont’d) Note: Contains provisional data which is subject to change 15 Total Phosphorus Load Reduction – Individual STAs

16. STA Inflows and Outflows (cont’d) Note: Contains provisional data which is subject to change 16 Total Phosphorus Load Reduction – Individual STAs

17. STA Inflows and Outflows (cont’d) Total Phosphorus Load Reduction – Individual STAs Note: Contains provisional data which is subject to change WCA-3A 17

18. STA Diversions Defined as the delivery of surface water to the Everglades Protection Area without entering the treatment works May occur under one or more of the following scenarios: – maintenance – flood control – to avoid substantial damage to the treatment facilities – to address conflicts with the Endangered Species Act – to address conflicts with the Migratory Bird Treaty Act – for low flow water supply purposes Not permitted for the purposes of achieving compliance with the WQBEL 18

19. STA Diversions (cont’d) Total Phosphorus Load Diverted – All STAs combined Hurricanes Frances, Jeanne and Wilma Tropical Storms Ernesto (WY2007) and Fay (WY2009) Dryout followed by Intense Wet Season Start Tropical Storms Isaac (WY2013) and Andrea (WY2014) Note: Contains provisional data which is subject to change 19

20. STA-1E Performance Impacts from Exotic Apple Snail Infestation Exotic Snails First Observed July 2013 Note: Contains provisional data which is subject to change 20 Virtually all SAV was eliminated by January 2014

21. STA-1E Vegetation Impacts from Exotic Apple Snail Infestation Exotic Apple Snail Infestation First Observed in Cell 4S in July 2013 Sep. 2013Dec. 2012May 2012Nov. 2013July 2014 21

22. Science Plan 22

23. Science Plan: Purpose and Objectives Consent Orders and Framework Agreement require SFWMD to develop and implement a Science Plan Purpose and Objectives: – Identify the key factors that collectively influence phosphorus reduction and treatment performance in order to meet the WQBEL at each STA – Identify studies that investigate these key factors that influence phosphorus treatment performance – Focus on better understanding design and operations that sustain low outflow phosphorus concentrations (<20 ppb) – Obtain information that can be incorporated into modeling efforts/refinements – Use information gathered to inform design and operations which will improve the ability of STAs to achieve the WQBEL 23

24. Science Plan: Progress to Date Final Science Plan submitted to FDEP (June 7, 2013) Science Plan implementation ongoing Detailed Study Plans for 8 Science Plan studies updated in Sep. 2014 17 Technical Representatives (Tech Reps) meetings/ workshops held (Nov. 2012 – Feb. 2015) More than 15 private firms and universities under contract to provide technical support and specialized expertise 24

25. Science Plan: Path Forward Continue to implement Science Plan – Review relevant literature – Collect field data – Continue to analyze data – Complete refurbishment of STA-1W Test Cells Continue to have Tech Reps meetings every six (6) months, or more often if needed – Next meeting is scheduled for Mar. 26, 2015 – Communicate preliminary results to Tech Reps 25

26. Downstream Monitoring 26

27. Downstream Monitoring: Summary Purpose: – Characterize the effects of STA discharges on the receiving water bodies All monitoring completed to date is in accordance with the Consent Orders Some downstream monitoring was required by previous STA permits and Administrative Orders 27

28. Downstream Monitoring: Locations Transect Locations 28

29. Downstream Monitoring: Water Quality Total Phosphorus – Summary TP gradient exists from perimeter canals (higher TP) to interior marsh (lower TP) TP gradient characteristics are different in each Water Conservation Area (WCA) As Restoration Strategies projects are implemented, TP reductions are anticipated Downstream Monitoring will assist in tracking progress Partial Water Year (WY) 2015 TP gradients are similar to previous years 29

30. Downstream Monitoring: Water Quality Total Phosphorus – Data Transect Location WY2015 15 ppb line 10 ppb line STA-1E Transect (LOXA135-LOXA139) STA-1W Transect 1 (LOXA104-LOXA108) Note: Contains provisional data which is subject to change 15 ppb line 10 ppb line 30

31. Downstream Monitoring: Water Quality Total Phosphorus – Data (cont’d) Transect Location WY2015 STA-2 Transect 1 (2AN.25-2AN6) STA-2 Transect 2 (2AC.25-2AC5) 1 2 Note: Contains provisional data which is subject to change 15 ppb line 10 ppb line 15 ppb line 10 ppb line 31

32. Downstream Monitoring: Water Quality Total Phosphorus – Data (cont’d) Transect Location 3 WY2015STA-2 Transect 3 (2AFS.25-CA29) Note: Contains provisional data which is subject to change 15 ppb line 10 ppb line 32

33. Downstream Monitoring: Soil TP and Vegetation - Summary Indicator of degraded Everglades habitat, degraded ecological function, degraded water quality, previous phosphorus inputs No updates at this time – 2015 vegetation data collection ongoing – 2015 soil data collection will start in May 2015 data will be presented at Principals Meeting #6 33

34. Consent Order Milestone Report 34

35. Restoration Strategies: Key Projects 35

36. Consent Order Milestones Achieved ProjectMilestone DeadlineDate Completed Eastern Flowpath L-8 Divide Structure Initiate Design10/1/20129/10/2012 Complete Design9/30/20143/5/2014 Initiate Construction10/1/20169/11/2014 S-5AS Modifications Initiate Design10/1/20129/10/2012 Complete Design9/30/20144/17/2014 Initiate Construction10/1/20149/11/2014 S-375 ExpansionInitiate Design9/30/20133/4/2013 Flow Equalization Basin (L-8 FEB) Submit State and Federal Permit Applications 1/31/20145/13/2013 Construction Status Report 3/1/20142/25/2014 Construction Status Report 3/1/20152/26/2015 36 = Achieved since previous Principals Meeting in July 2014

37. Consent Order Milestones Achieved ProjectMilestone DeadlineDate Completed Eastern Flowpath (continued) 4,700-acre STA Expansion Initiate Design9/30/20139/17/2013 Complete Land Acquisition 9/30/20134/23/2014 Submit State and Federal Permit Applications 7/30/20147/22/2014 Repairs and Modifications to STA-1E PSTA Decommissioning Complete Prior to long- term operations 8/21/2014 37 = Achieved since previous Principals Meeting in July 2014

38. Consent Order Milestones Achieved ProjectMilestone DeadlineDate Completed Central Flowpath Flow Equalization Basin (A-1 FEB) Initiate Design4/1/201212/16/2010 Submit Permit Applications 12/1/20129/17/2012 Design Status Report3/1/20132/1/2013 Complete Design8/1/20137/24/2013 Initiate Construction6/30/210410/10/2013 Construction Status Report 3/1/20152/26/2015 STA-2 Expansion: Compartment B Initial flooding and optimization period complete 5/31/2014 5/30/2014 Western Flowpath STA-5/6 Expansion: Compartment C Initial flooding and optimization period complete 5/31/20145/30/2014 38 = Achieved since previous Principals Meeting in July 2014

39. Upcoming Consent Order Milestones ProjectMilestone * Deadline * Eastern Flowpath 4,700-acre STA Expansion Complete Design7/30/2015 Initiate Construction1/31/2016 S-375 Expansion Complete Design7/30/2015 Initiate Construction1/31/2016 All milestones with deadlines during the next 12 months are on track to be complete on or ahead of schedule. 39

40. Project Status Update: A-1 FEB Levee construction (total = 21 miles), canal excavation and internal earthwork ~85% complete Inflow structures ~85% complete Construction completion expected June 2015 (~1 year ahead of deadline) Solar-Powered Outflow Structure to STA-3/4Structure G-722W 40

41. A-1 FEB Outflow Structure Pump Station G-370 Discharge Canal Inflow Channel Seepage Canal Inflow Structure From Miami Canal STA-3/4 Inflow Canal STA-3/4 41

42. Project Status Update: L-8 FEB Revetment construction ~ 96% complete Outflow Pump Station ~78% complete Inflow Structure ~ 66% complete Cell Connection Improvements ~75% complete Construction completion expected Oct. 2015 (more than 1 year ahead of deadline) June 2014January 2015 Outflow Pump Station 42

43. L-8 FEB Outflow Pump Station L-8 Canal N To STA-1E/1W 43

44. From L-8 Canal L-8 FEB Inflow Structure 44

45. Project Status Update: STA-1W Expansion No. 1 Permit application submitted to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) in Apr. 2014 and FDEP in July 2014 Held two (2) meetings with Tech Reps (and federal agency consultants) to discuss design concepts and receive input Intermediate Design will be complete by Apr. 2015 Final Design will be complete by July 2015 SFWMD providing technical support to USACE for NEPA documentation Environmental remediation will be required prior to conversion of land to an STA; coordination with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and pilot remediation project are ongoing 45

46. Project Status Update: STA-1W Expansion No. 1 46

47. Project Status Update: STA-1E Repairs and Modifications of STA-1E (by USACE) – Repairs at 32 of 44 culverts complete; target completion Oct. 2016 – Inflow pump trash rake repair activities started Nov. 2013; target completion May 2015 – Decommissioning of the PSTA project in Cell 2 was completed in Aug. 2014; normal operations started Oct. 2014 – Cell 5 and 7 improvements: In Feb. 2015, SFWMD transmitted a letter to USACE stating that there is clear evidence that topographic deficiencies significantly interfere with the authorized purposes or full usefulness of STA-1E and requested USACE to reconsider their determination that no further modifications are required. 47

48. Enforcement Matters 48

49. Enforcement Matters None 49

50. Differing Opinions of the Technical Representatives 50

51. Differing Opinions of the Technical Representatives None 51

52. Other Topics/Miscellaneous 52

53. Other Topics/Miscellaneous Flow Equalization Basins and Federally- Protected Avian Species 53