NOTICE OF ESTABLISHMENT OF SITE SPECIFIC ALTERNATIVE CRITERIA FOR CHLOROPHYLL-a, TOTAL NITROGEN AND TOTAL PHOSPHORUS FOR LAKE TARPON IN PINELLAS COUNTY, FLORIDA
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (department) issued a final order on April 24, 2026, establishing Type III Site Specific Alternative Criteria (SSAC) for chlorophyll-a (Chl-a), total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP), for Lake Tarpon proper (WBID 1486A) in Pinellas County pursuant to subsection 62-302.800(3) of the Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.). Subparagraph 62-302.800(3), F.A.C., specifies that the proposed SSAC “achieve the narrative nutrient criteria in paragraph 62-302.530(48)(b), F.A.C., and are protective of downstream waters.” Paragraph 62-302.800(3)(b), F.A.C., likewise specifies that “[t]he SSAC shall be established at a level representative of nutrient loads or concentrations that have been demonstrated to be protective of the designated use by maintaining balanced, natural populations of aquatic flora and fauna.” The Type III SSACs for Lake Tarpon were developed to be protective of the lake’s designated uses and healthy existing biological condition while accounting for the fluctuations in Chl-a above the department’s generally applicable criterion.
The final order established the following Type III SSACs for Lake Tarpon as follows:
1) An annual geometric mean (AGM) chlorophyll-a concentration of 28 µg/L not to be exceeded more than once in any consecutive three-year period;
2) An AGM total nitrogen concentration of 1.15 mg/L not to be exceeded more than once in any consecutive three-year period; and
3) An AGM total phosphorus concentration of 0.04 mg/L not to be exceeded more than once in any consecutive three-year period.
A person whose substantial interests are affected by the department’s proposed agency action may petition for an administrative proceeding (hearing) under Sections 120.569 and 120.57 of the Florida Statutes, in accordance with the full notice of rights language contained in the final order. The petition must contain the information identified in the full notice of rights language contained in the final order and must be filed (received) in the department’s Office of General Counsel, 3900 Commonwealth Boulevard, Mail Station 35, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3000 within 21 days of publication of this notice or within 21 days of receipt of the final order, whichever occurs first.
The final order is available on the department’s Alternative Surface Water Quality Standards webpage at https://floridadep.gov/dear/water-quality-standards/content/alternative-surface-water-quality-standards or will be provided upon request to interested parties by mail or e-mail distribution. For a copy of the final order, contact DeAsia Armster by mail at Standards Development Section, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, MS # 6511, 2600 Blair Stone Road, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2400, telephone at 850-245-8429, or e-mail at WQS_Rulemaking@FloridaDEP.gov.
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