Protection of water quality in Outstanding Florida Springs.

By July 1, 2016, the department shall initiate assessment, pursuant to s. 403.067(3), of Outstanding Florida Springs or spring systems for which an impairment determination has not been made under the numeric nutrient standards in effect for spring vents. Assessments must be completed by July 1, 2018.

(1)(a) Concurrent with the adoption of a nutrient total maximum daily load for an Outstanding Florida Spring, the department, or the department in conjunction with a water management district, shall initiate development of a basin management action plan, as specified in s. 403.067. For an Outstanding Florida Spring with a nutrient total maximum daily load adopted before July 1, 2016, the department, or the department in conjunction with a water management district, shall initiate development of a basin management action plan by July 1, 2016. During the development of a basin management action plan, if the department identifies onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems as contributors of at least 20 percent of nonpoint source nitrogen pollution or if the department determines remediation is necessary to achieve the total maximum daily load, the basin management action plan shall include an onsite sewage treatment and disposal system remediation plan pursuant to subsection (3) for those systems identified as requiring remediation.

(b) A basin management action plan for an Outstanding Florida Spring shall be adopted within 2 years after its initiation and must include, at a minimum:

1. A list of all specific projects and programs identified to implement a nutrient total maximum daily load;

2. A list of all specific projects identified in any incorporated onsite sewage treatment and disposal system remediation plan, if applicable;

3. A priority rank for each listed project;

4. For each listed project, a planning level cost estimate and the estimated date of completion;

5. The source and amount of financial assistance to be made available by the department, a water management district, or other entity for each listed project;

6. An estimate of each listed project’s nutrient load reduction;

7. Identification of each point source or category of nonpoint sources, including, but not limited to, urban turf fertilizer, sports turf fertilizer, agricultural fertilizer, onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems, wastewater treatment facilities, animal wastes, and stormwater facilities. An estimated allocation of the pollutant load must be provided for each point source or category of nonpoint sources; and

8. An implementation plan designed with a target to achieve the nutrient total maximum daily load no more than 20 years after the adoption of a basin management action plan.

The department shall develop a schedule establishing 5-year, 10-year, and 15-year targets for achieving the nutrient total maximum daily load. The schedule shall be used to provide guidance for planning and funding purposes and is exempt from chapter 120.

(c) For a basin management action plan adopted before July 1, 2016, which addresses an Outstanding Florida Spring, the department or the department in conjunction with a water management district must revise the plan if necessary to comply with this section by July 1, 2018.

(d) A local government may apply to the department for a single extension of up to 5 years for any project in an adopted basin management action plan. A local government in a rural area of opportunity, as defined in s. 288.0656, may apply for a single extension of up to 10 years for such a project. The department may grant the extension if the local government provides to the department sufficient evidence that an extension is in the best interest of the public.

(2) By July 1, 2017, each local government, as defined in s. 373.802(3), that has not adopted an ordinance pursuant to s. 403.9337, shall develop, enact, and implement an ordinance pursuant to that section. It is the intent of the Legislature that ordinances required to be adopted under this subsection reflect the latest scientific information, advancements, and technological improvements in the industry.

(3) As part of a basin management action plan that includes an Outstanding Florida Spring, the department, relevant local governments, and relevant local public and private wastewater utilities shall develop an onsite sewage treatment and disposal system remediation plan for a spring if the department determines onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems within a basin management action plan contribute at least 20 percent of nonpoint source nitrogen pollution or if the department determines remediation is necessary to achieve the total maximum daily load. The plan must identify cost-effective and financially feasible projects necessary to reduce the nutrient impacts from onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems and shall be completed and adopted as part of the basin management action plan no later than the first 5-year milestone required by subparagraph (1)(b)8. The department is the lead agency in coordinating the preparation of and the adoption of the plan. The department shall:

(a) Collect and evaluate credible scientific information on the effect of nutrients, particularly forms of nitrogen, on springs and springs systems; and

(b) Develop a public education plan to provide area residents with reliable, understandable information about onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems and springs.

In addition to the requirements in s. 403.067, the plan must include options for repair, upgrade, replacement, drainfield modification, addition of effective nitrogen reducing features, connection to a central sewerage system, or other action for an onsite sewage treatment and disposal system or group of systems within a basin management action plan that contribute at least 20 percent of nonpoint source nitrogen pollution or if the department determines remediation is necessary to achieve a total maximum daily load. For these systems, the department shall include in the plan a priority ranking for each system or group of systems that requires remediation and shall award funds to implement the remediation projects contingent on an appropriation in the General Appropriations Act, which may include all or part of the costs necessary for repair, upgrade, replacement, drainfield modification, addition of effective nitrogen reducing features, initial connection to a central sewerage system, or other action. In awarding funds, the department may consider expected nutrient reduction benefit per unit cost, size and scope of project, relative local financial contribution to the project, and the financial impact on property owners and the community. The department may waive matching funding requirements for proposed projects within an area designated as a rural area of opportunity under s. 288.0656.

(4) The department shall provide notice to a local government of all permit applicants under s. 403.814(12) in a priority focus area of an Outstanding Florida Spring over which the local government has full or partial jurisdiction.