COMMITTEE FOR A SUSTAINABLE EMERALD COAST ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP SUBCOMMITTEE

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COMMITTEE ASSISTANCE DEPARTMENT INTERNATIONAL & ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING
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Committee for a Sustainable Emerald Coast

Committee for a Sustainable Emerald Coast

Environmental Stewardship Subcommittee

3rd Meeting April 23, 2007

Proposed Subcommittee Meeting Objectives

o Review of vision theme, goals, principles

Review and identify additional key policy issues;

o Discuss and develop initial draft recommendations

o Review of Subcommittee schedule and work plan

o Review of next steps and drafting assignments

Draft Agenda

1:00 Welcome, Introductions, Agenda Review- Chair Billy Buzzett

1:10 Review of Vision Theme, Goals and Principles

1:30 Review and Identify Additional Key Policy Issues

2:00 Discuss and Develop Initial Recommendations for Issue Areas

Conservation Land Acquisition
Wetlands
Stormwater and Water Quality
Sewage Treatment and Landfills
Coastal Issues
Air Quality

3:30 Review of Meeting Schedule/Workplan

Potential field trips
Meeting locations

3:45 Next Steps and Drafting Assignments

4:00 Adjourn

Committee for a Sustainable Emerald Coast

Environmental Stewardship Subcommittee

Draft Charge

January 24, 2007

Environmental Stewardship

This Subcommittee will be chaired by Billy Buzzett with Ross Hamilton serving as Vice Chair and Tom Delanio, Skip Miller and Daniel Uhlfelder serving as members.

The following individuals will be invited to serve as advisors to the subcommittee and will engage in the review and consensus building as the subcommittee develops goals for future growth and recommendations for action: Vernon Compton (Nature Conservancy), Doyle Butler (Escambia County Neighborhood and Environmental Services Department), Linda Young (Clean Water Network), Chips Kirshenfeld (Bar Area Resource Council and Riverkeepers), Mike Brim (Panama City), Daryl Boudrea (DEP – NW District). Doug Barr (NWFWMD), Sonny Green (Division of Forestry), Dan Pennington (1,000 Friends of Florida), Eric Livingstone (DEP – Chief, Watershed Management), Mike Applegate (military representative), and Florida Wildlife Federation?)

Hal Beardall will serve as the sub-committee’s facilitator and the Chair will appoint technical advisors to the subcommittee.

Purpose

The purpose of the Subcommittee is to develop initial draft principles and policy recommendations related to promoting environmental stewardship as a component of achieving a sustainable Emerald Coast by 2030 for consideration by the full Committee. The Subcommittee will seek to address the key issues and areas assigned including:

Water supply and water quality
Natural and rural land stewardship
Recreation
Environmental protection
Air quality
Coastal ecosystem management
Intergovernmental cooperation and regional cooperation on environmental issues

The Subcommittee will also be guided by and consider the Committee’s adopted mission statement, principles for working together, to developing recommendations and for regional cooperation. The Subcommittee will also consider, and as needed, propose refinements to the draft goal developed at the October, 2006 meeting and the draft principles developed at the January 24, 2007 meeting.

As the Committee’s process develops, the Subcommittee will be guided by feed-back and direction from the full Committee upon review of their progress reports and initial drafts in the Spring, 2007 and from public input at workshops held in mid 2007. The product of the Subcommittee will be integrated into a single text of Committee principles and recommendations which will be the subject of public workshops in Fall, 2007 and serve the basis for the Committee’s final report to the Governor and Legislature in December, 2007.

Process

It is anticipated that the Subcommittee will meet face to face or by conference call for several meetings between the Committee’s regularly scheduled meetings. The Subcommittee chair will establish the schedule in consultation with the members and staff and consistent with the Committee’s schedule and notice requirements of the Sunshine Law. The Subcommittee should expect to present future growth scenarios to the full Committee in the Spring and its initial draft of principles and recommendations in late Spring, 2007. It is anticipated that the Subcommittee will dissolve in the Summer of 2007 after reviewing public comments and submitting its final draft to the Committee for inclusion in its single text report to be adopted in December, 2007.

The Subcommittee will be guided by the consensus guidelines adopted by the Committee and should strive for agreement of all members on possible draft recommendations to bring to the Committee. Ex Officio members will serve as full members in helping to shape a consensus report to the full Committee. The Subcommittee will receive some feedback and guidance from the Committee on early drafts and on different options it may discussing in terms of recommendations.

Report Format

The Subcommittee should use the following format for developing their recommendations:

Overall goal(s)
Guiding Principles

Recommendation(s) for action in the region with separate commentary, as needed, to clarify intent of recommendation and policy issues related to the recommendation.

Roles

The Subcommittee chair is responsible for guiding the group and bringing draft recommendations to the Committee. The Vice Chair will assist the chair in this task. Group Members are responsible for engaging in the process of debating and developing draft recommendations and in drafting as assigned by the chair. The facilitator is responsible for assisting the Chair and the Committee on agenda design, meeting facilitation and consensus building. The facilitator will also produce Subcommittee meeting summaries.

The technical staff and consultants are responsible for assisting the chair and members in their drafting task. The Subcommittee should work with the staff and consultants to bring information to the group needed to develop further the recommendations.

Sustainable Growth and Development Vision Theme and Draft Goal (September 16, 2006)

Environmental Stewardship Vision Theme and Draft Goal

Acting as strong environmental stewards- 2030 Vision (Sept. 2006)

The Emerald Coast, through better planning, has preserved and protected the region’s natural assets and historic heritage and has consistently been ranked as the nation’s best beaches and best air quality and best regions to visit for history, fishing and fun. Recreation opportunities to enjoy the region’s environmental treasures have been enhanced and scallops have made a great comeback in the region’s bays. Recycling and regional waste management has proved to be a great success leading to the closure of the Northwest Landfill. Ecotourism and historical and archeological tourism works closely with the environmental community to enhance the region’s ecosystem assets. A regional storm water management program protects the region’s bays, estuaries and rivers systems.

Draft Environmental Stewardship Goal (October, 2006):

Establish an integrated and enduring process to sustain and improve our regional environment.

Land Use Issues: Property rights: soil types; Coordination across county lines, Private, government and military, Coordination with Federal Government, Acquisition of natural space, Synchronized land acquisition, Look at waste management, Shoreline and beach preservation

Air Quality Issues: Noise; Transportation impact- car exhaust, Power plants/ industries

Water Quality Issues: Clean surface and drinking water; Storm water runoff biggest impact- turbidity and toxins in water bodies; Salt water intrusion along the coast; Shoreline buffers; Isolated wetland protection and new NWFWMD permitting

KEY POLICY ISSUES FOR POTENTIAL RECOMMENDATIONS

Conservation Land Acquisition

Issues and Draft Principles from January 24, 2007:

We need an integrated, synchronized, balanced plan with the right policies and protections in place to assure a sustainable Emerald Coast region. How do we preserve the unique natural qualities of our area while also enhancing our cultural and economic opportunities?
To start with, we must build on and protect our existing environmental advantages in the region.
We need to protect and preserve a viable, healthy, interconnected network of natural systems: that can provide buffers for the military; preserve and expand natural habitats; link to other aspects of a sustainable Emerald Coast (e.g. schools, transportation, infrastructure, recreation, etc.);
Clarify and build consensus among the different sectors on the appropriate balance among urban, rural, agricultural and conservation land for our region. Clarify the role of a viable agriculture in the region’s future.
The region needs to develop and facilitate new partnerships with landowners at the table that address stewardship of public and private lands and recreation.

Issues and Comments from February 15, 2007:

Assess the inventory of lands under conservation
Identify key connections needed to close the gaps between conservation areas
Access to all public and private conservation lands
Look for lessons learned from M.C. Davis’s efforts
Who is going to buy conservation land?
Unlikely to get support for tax referendum
Different techniques for conserving lands (i.e., transfer of development rights, conservation easements, etc.)
Need to find a way to influence conservation within development
Explore incentives for private development
Large chunk of our land is already state owned and developers with large tracts. This offers our area advantages that other parts of the state don’t have.
Fundamentally wrong if in thirty years we find we did it wrong. We need to establish incentives to do it right.
Encourage ecotourism and other development opportunities that have a positive environment impact

Issues and Comments from March 16, 2007:

The Chair reiterated the need to determine the existing inventory of lands under conservation in the region
Participants identified the following sources for information:
- TNC
- Florida forever List
- Florida’s Community Trust
- Trust for Public Lands
- Critical habitat
- Military – Joint Land Use Study (JLUS) – lands that can be acquired – density reduction

Local funding – supplements state law – match local government contributions
Developer incentives
Department of Defense – low impact development principles – reducing roadways
LEEDS – Pensacola – has active chapter (get RPC to organize model ordinances and educate communities and local governments)
Escambia County – proposed greenway – 10 mile greenway, Jones Swamp to Pitcher Plant Prairie

Wetland Protection

Issues and Draft Principles from January 24, 2007:

none

Issues and Comments from February 15, 2007:

ERP is coming into N.W. Florida
- Legislation leaves N.W. Florida with the weakest rule for ERP and exemptions that are not allowed elsewhere in the state
- May be worse than what we had before
- Need to get the message out that now is the time for stronger storm water rules
- Weaker rules will adversely impact our economy. It is shortsighted not to have stronger rules.
- It will be helpful if wetlands part is phased in. If it is not, then we will end up with piece meal wetlands
It is difficult for small developers to plan for these rules. Developers need to know what the parameters are going into a project and how to quantify the costs.
- Also need to know where the wetlands are upfront.
- State can give you a determination
May get voluntary adoption of those rules
Counties and legislative delegation make it a priority that the regional DEP office follow the same level and rules as those in other parts of the state. And communicate that to the costumers
- Past problems with DEP enforcement documented by grand jury
- We don’t get the same level of enforcement or consistency in enforcement and that leads to resentment.
ERP – danger that DEP will give permits to fill in isolated wetlands. Most of the water comes from rain recharge.
Recognize value of wetlands, not just require a permit to destroy them.

Issues and Comments from March 16, 2007:

Mitigation – develop ROMA (regional offsite mitigation area) – improve wetland and get credits – need credits to offset impacts
Converting holding pond into a wetland
Each county should produce GIS map of all public lands
Rather than cannibalize there ought to be an incentive for counties to work together
ROMAs can cross county lands – nature trail – task at water management district
Identify critical habitats
Escambia County has developed a wetland map with wetland conservation values – helps in planning and in mitigation sites. Rather than use a scale of high, medium or low, the new process lists functions and values for wetlands – look at pristine/conservation, restoration and enhancement values of wetlands – produced through EPA grants
Recommend other counties perform same wetland analysis
Uniform Mitigation Assessment Methodology – used to determine amount of land needed to be mitigated because of impacts
Should real estate agents be required to disclose if wetlands, flood plain, listed species on property, and ground water contamination?

Stormwater and Water Quality

Issues and Draft Principles from January 24, 2007:

Address Storm-water challenges including bacteria, nutrient loading, sedimentation, turbidity, inappropriate use of forest lands, maintenance of holding ponds and retrofitting of infrastructure.
Remediate the problems from the past
Create best management practices for sheds and other de minimus construction.
Encourage the creation of water re-use infrastructure as a part of a sustainable water supply.
Educate the public and developers on sustainable practices related to landscaping, conservation and pollution control.

Issues and Comments from February 15, 2007:

Address storm water. We need a regional storm water utility
- But is it attainable?
Need to consider the impact of landfills on air and water quality
Development that met the inadequate requirements of the past have had a huge impact that costs everyone now.
Need to retrofit storm water facilities
Attainable part is tough regulations; twenty five year flood retention ponds is not enough

Issues and Comments from March 16, 2007:

Stormwater protection – recent referendum for 1 cent sales tax overwhelmingly defeated
New grant funds available under TMDL (total maximum daily loads) program for addressing untreated stormwater into designated impaired waters from FDEP Watershed Management (Eric Livingston, Chief) in Tallahassee
Need to recognize stormwater regulation is an economic issue too
Need to obtain a copy of the list of impaired waters
Only $30 million available statewide through the FDEP program. The grants are a supplement but will not cover all of the need. All pre-1982 development has no stormwater provisions.
ERP – currently regulates – quality – post cannot exceed pre-quantity
N.W. Florida - ERP rules will be least stringent rules for wetlands and stormwater – need to follow the standards set in the other water management districts for 1” rather than ½” – adopt ORW standards 30% improvement in water quality - 1” removes 80%
In the state of Florida, N.W. Florida has the greatest variation in topography, the highest rainfall and the least stringent rules for wetlands and stormwater runoff.
25-year storm event standard needs to be increased
Need to create a regional stormwater plan
Promote best management practices – for example, the use of rain barrels for every home to retain and reuse rainwater on-site – Escambia County offers grants

Sewage Treatment and Landfills

Issues and Draft Principles from January 24, 2007:

Tertiary sewage treatment should be available to every household in the four counties.
Landfill permitting responding to the needs of a growing population should be consistent with sustainable principles relating to surface and aquifer water resources.
The region should re-mediate bacterial exceedances.

Issues and Comments from February 15, 2007:

We should have a goal of no sewage into waters at all
What do we do with excess reuse water?

Issues and Comments from March 16, 2007:

Central wastewater – need infrastructure now to handle future growth
Eliminate all discharges into surface waters
Encourage reuse
Encourage new disposal areas
Reuse should be part of land development code
Use reuse water to flush toilets
Septic tanks – do not want them near waters of the state
International Paper – example of the need for industrial reuse and the demand for water
TMDL’s
Concerned about mercury contamination
Need to address demand population growth puts on landfills
Need to address the liners and containment of leeching from landfills and the impacts on water
Impact of landfills on water and air quality

Coastal Issues

Issues and Draft Principles from January 24, 2007:

Coastal habitat and community protection will require sustainable practices related to coastal development, public support and access.

Issues and Comments from February 15, 2007:

Encourage development away from the coast
- This may be influenced by insurance

Issues and Comments from March 16, 2007:

Habitat restoration
Rules for development (shoreline)
Seagrass impacts
Impact of fertilizer use – washes into waters and impacts seagrass through light attenuation – need to go back to community designs and limit use in lawns near surface waters
Runoff from dirt roads –changes being made to the design of dirt roads in state lands and military areas to limit the adverse impacts on streams from erosion.

Air Quality

Issues and Draft Principles from January 24, 2007:

Air Quality is truly a regional issue that will require a sustainable approach to community building, economic development and environmental stewardship.

Issues and Comments from February 15, 2007:

What about air quality?
Need to consider the impact of landfills on air and water quality

Issues and Comments from March 16, 2007:

Impact of landfills on water and air quality

Draft Subcommittee Meeting Schedule

January 25 CSEC – Environmental Stewardship Subcommittee Charge

February 15 Organizational Meeting - Review subcommittee charge; review vision theme, goals, draft principles and issues; review subcommittee membership; review subcommittee schedule and work plan.

March 16 2^nd Meeting (following meeting of the full CSEC) - Receive briefings if needed and begin development of policy issues/recommendations.

April 23 3^rd Meeting- Receive briefings if needed and continue review of policy issues/recommendations.

May 17 4^th Meeting- Continue review of policy issues/ recommendations.

June 14 5^thMeeting - Present initial draft to full Committee for review and feedback; subcommittee meets to refine.

July-September Continue refining drafts recommendations for public workshops and consideration by CSEC

October-November (as needed and charged by CSEC Chair, refine further recommendations)

CSEC – Environmental Stewardship, April 23, 2007 13

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