Restore The Rivers

An Action Plan To Restore The St Johns River

Innovative And Cost Effective Solutions A Vision To Revitalize The St Johns And Its Tributaries

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Nutrient Control

Excess nitrogen and phosphorus levels (nutrient pollution) in waterbodies can cause harm to aquatic ecosystems and threaten public health.

Nutrient pollution can lead to water quality problems such as harmful algal blooms, low-oxygen "dead zones" in water bodies and declines in wildlife and wildlife habitat. These effects also disrupt recreational activities and pose threats to public health.

Water quality degradation from nutrient pollution is a significant environmental issue in Florida.

Florida's 2008 Integrated Water Quality Assessment revealed that approximately 1,000 miles of rivers and streams, 350,000 acres of lakes, and 900 square miles of estuaries are impaired by nutrients.

The actual number of miles and acres of waters impaired for nutrients is likely higher, as many waters that have yet to be assessed may also be impaired.

Restoration efforts will include working with local governments to improve wastewater treatment and stormwater management.

In addition, many in the agricultural community will need to adopt new best management practices for nutrient control.

Stormwater, industrial pollution, municipal wastewater discharges and the presence of contaminated sediment has dramatically reduced the communities of aquatic plants and submerged aquatic vegetation in the St Johns and its tributaries.

These native aquatic plant communities are vital to the health of the river ecosystems as they capture and uptake the nitrogen and phosphorus that enters the river. When this aquatic vegetation is not present to act as a filter, algae blooms result.

Eel Grass absorbs tremendous amounts of nutrients and limits algae growth by reducing its food source...

Vast communities of Eel Grass once lined the shores of the St Johns river. Restoration of these SAV (submerged aquatic vegetation) communities will enhance the uptake of excessive nutrients that lead to algae blooms.

Wastewater Treatment Plants currently introduce extremely large quantities of nutrients into the river.

Phosphorus and nitrogen effluent levels should be lowered to further reduce the nutrients that are currently discharged into the St Johns river in such vast quantities.

Many in the agricultural community will need to adopt new best management practices for nutrient control...

Restore The Rivers * 3088 Country Club Blvd. * Orange Park, FL 32073

Phone 904-327-1202 *

Info@restoretherivers.com * www.restoretherivers.com