Florida Keys NMS Water Quality Protection Program

Recognizing the critical role of water quality in maintaining the resources of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, Congress directed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the State of Florida, represented by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), to develop a Water Quality Protection Program for the Sanctuary. This is the first such program ever developed for a marine sanctuary. The purpose of the Water Quality Protection Program is to "recommend priority corrective actions and compliance schedules addressing point and multipoint sources of pollution to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the Sanctuary, including restoration and maintenance of a balanced, indigenous population of corals, shellfish, fish, and wildlife, and recreational activities on the water" (Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and Protection Act). In addition to corrective actions, the Act also requires the development of a water quality monitoring program and the provision of opportunities for public participation in all aspects of developing and implementing the program.

The Water Quality Protection Program consists of an administrative framework and a set of initial recommendations for corrective actions, monitoring, research and special studies, and education and outreach. The recommendations have been published in the "Water Quality Protection Program Document" and are included in the comprehensive management plan prepared by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to guide the use of the Sanctuary.

Recommendations for monitoring and special studies are being implemented directly by the EPA and FDEP under the administration framework described in the Final Water Quality and Protection Program Document. For educational activities, the EPA and FDEP will assist NOAA, which is responsible for educational programs within the Sanctuary. In contrast, most recommendations for corrective actions will require coordination activities by numerous Federal, State, and local government agencies.

Development of the Water Quality and Protection Program occurred in two phases. During Phase I, information was compiled and synthesized on the status of the Sanctuary's natural environment. Priority problems were identified through literature review and through discussions with technical experts and other participants in technical workshops. Phase II focused on developing options for corrective actions, developing a water quality monitoring program and research and special studies programs, and developing a public education and outreach program.

The Water Quality Monitoring and Protection Program has funded three long-term monitoring projects: overall water quality, coral reef and hardbottom community health, and seagrass community health. These three projects represent a five year commitment by the EPA to assess the health of coral reef, hardbottom, and seagrass communities within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary with a focus issues and health concerns related to water quality. There is also a research/special studies component which consists of a multitude of smaller, more focused studies looking at specific cause and effect relationships and the impacts of specific environmental perturbations.