Rule 62-303.353. Nutrients in Estuaries and Open Coastal Waters

Estuaries, estuary segments, or open coastal waters shall be included on the Planning List for nutrients if:

(1) The numeric interpretation of the narrative nutrient criterion established in subsection 62-302.532(1) or 62-302.532(2), F.A.C., is exceeded for any parameter, or

(2) For estuaries without a numeric interpretation of the narrative nutrient criterion, their annual geometric mean chlorophyll a for any year is greater than 11 ug/l;

(3) Algal mats or blooms are present in sufficient quantities to pose a nuisance or hinder reproduction of a threatened or endangered species, or other information is available, pursuant to Rule 62-303.350, F.A.C., indicating an imbalance in flora or fauna due to nutrient enrichment; or

(4) There is a statistically significant increasing trend in the annual geometric means at the 95 percent confidence level in TN, TP, or chlorophyll a over the assessment period using the Mann-Kendall Trend Test. To calculate the trend there must be a minimum of four annual geometric means in the assessment period; or

(5) For estuaries with nutrient criteria expressed as not to be exceeded in more than 10 percent of the samples, the nutrient data exceed the listing thresholds in subsection 62-303.320(1), F.A.C. Data must meet the requirements of subsections and paragraphs 62-303.320(2), (3), (4)(c)-(4)(e), (8), and (9), F.A.C. Rulemaking Authority 403.061, 403.067 FS. Law Implemented 403.062, 403.067 FS. History–New 6-10-02, Amended 12-11-06, 7-2-12, 8-1-13, 2-17-16, 11-25-25.