Water Quality
Summary
Water quality issues continue to be critical for resource management and are addressed extensively in the 2011 Condition Report. Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary has a significant Water Quality Protection Program (WQPP) with a Steering Committee that has met regularly for over 20 years to identify and implement corrective actions, coordinate research and science activities and direct the scientific monitoring programs. Water quality issues that were raised during the scoping period by members of the public and organizations were grouped into 15 categories and presented to the WQPP steering committee. The WQPP addressed each of these issues in more detail and created a summary document outlining current actions taken to improve and restore water quality and future actions that are planned. The information was presented to the advisory council at the February 19 and August 20, 2013 meetings. For most of the 15 water quality issues, no regulatory recommendations were identified. However, the advisory council did discuss a recommendation related to oceanic/marine vessel discharge (issue 7) which was passed as a motion at the October 21, 2015 meeting.
Workplan Objectives
- Increase public participation and understanding of Water Quality Protection Program.
- Identify any necessary regulatory modifications necessary to enforce prohibited discharges
Relevant Advisory Council Meetings
February 19, 2013
Agenda (pdf, 21 kb)
Minutes (pdf, 89 kb)
August 20, 2013
Agenda (pdf, 22 kb)
Minutes (pdf, 173 kb)
October 21, 2014
Agenda (pdf, 14 kb)
Minutes (pdf, 242 kb)
For more advisory council meeting archives visit: Current Year or Previous Year Archives.
Presentations on Water Quality
February 19, 2013 Presentation: Water Quality Protection Program Overview (652 kb)
August 20, 2013 Presentation: Water Quality: Response to Issues, Accomplishments and Future Action (1, 074 kb)
October 21, 2014 Presentation: SAC 2012 Work-Plan Items: Actions for Review and Recommendation (210 kb)
October 21, 2014 Pre-Meeting Packet: Sanctuary Advisory Council Regulatory and Zoning Alternatives Development Work-Plan Actions for Review and Recommendation (4,464 kb) discusses Water Quality in Section 1.4 (pp 24-5) and in Appendix II.
Motion
The following Motion was passed at the October 21, 2014 meeting: Resolution of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council Addressing Water Quality for Analysis in a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (pdf, 103 kb)
Priority Workplan Items
- Shallow Water Wildlife and Habitat Protection
- Coral Reef Ecosystem Restoration
- Ecosystem Protection: Ecological Reserves, Preservation Areas and Wildlife Protection
- Artificial Habitats
- Permit Procedures and Adaptive Management
- Study Areas and Boundary Modifications
- Personal Watercraft Tours / Fishing Conflicts
- Water Quality
- Fishery Management Coordination