Declining Water Quality Is Threatening the Health of Biscayne Bay and Our Economy

Declining Water Quality is Threatening the Health of Biscayne Bay and our Economy

Miami-Dade County is Florida’s most populous Biscayne Bay, an integral part of the Mi- of Biscayne Bay be prioritized. county boasting 13.3% of Florida’s population. ami-Dade County economy, is in desper- Home to over 2.8 million people1, Miami-Dade ate need of action to bring it back to health County is a dynamic and culturally diverse com- (Figure 1). Recreation, visitation and use ECONOMIC IMPACT OF BISCAYNE BAY (2004)7 munity known for its subtropical environments of Biscayne Bay accounts for a significant - $12.7 billion in additional County productivity and iconic c oastlines. Famous for its beaches portion of Miami-Dade County’s economic - $6.3 billion in income to County residents and bordered by two national parks, Everglades success. In addition, according to the National National Park and Biscayne National Park, the Park Service, Biscayne National Park reported - 137,600 jobs for the County 4 County is a tourism hotspot. More than 23.3 almost 470,000 recreational visitors in 2018 - $627 million in tax revenue to the County million tourists ventured through the County in who contributed more than $30 million to the 2018, having an estimated economic impact of surrounding communities and supported over over $18 billion2, with beaches and local atmo- 400 local jobs5. The water quality in Biscayne Bay has been sphere ranking of high importance to visitors. significantly affected by past and continuing Biscayne National Park ranked as one of the In August of 2019, a grand jury convened by the coastal and watershed development. The nu- top 10 most popular attractions with 10% of Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office warned that trient concentrations in the Bay have been dra- tourists visiting the area3. Biscayne Bay was at a “tipping point” and that matically changed by the conversion of natural without corrective action, the Bay would sure- creeks and sheet flow freshwater inputs to rapid ly suffer from irreversible damage. The Grand and episodic canal inputs from the large and Jury Report cautioned that aging wastewa- rapidly expanding Miami metropolitan area. Un- ter infrastructure, increased plastic pollu- fortunately, there are several water quality con- tion and the ongoing issue of sea level rise cerns plaguing the Bay: were “slowly strangling” our cherished Bay6. Water quality issues of concern for Biscayne Bacteria in the Bay and Sanitary Sewer Bay and Biscayne National Park are primarily Overflows (SSOs) caused by their proximity to Miami Metropoli- tan area and also to agricultural activities in the No-Swim Advisories warning about bacteria on Homestead area (and even to agriculture south our beaches have been hard to ignore over the of Okeechobee Lake) whose nutrients, pesti- last few years. In 2018 and 2019, high levels cides, and agro-chemicals may be transported of bacteria led to beach closures and public along the canal network and brought south to health concerns. These higher-than-normal the Biscayne Bay basin. bacterial levels were associated with a number of sources including sewage and septic tank Water Quality Concerns in the Bay leaks, algae that washed up on beaches and animal feces. While measures have been taken The Bay plays a critical role in the County’s to address these concerns, pollution from these Biscayne Bay is about 420 square miles and is located economic prosperity. It is of utmost impor- sources is still occurring. In fact, sanitary sewer on the Atlantic coast of South Florida. It is an important tance for the continued growth and success recreational waterway and natural ecosystem. overflows continue to threaten the Bay, from of the County that the health and protection

Figure 2. In August 2019 a break due to corrosion resulted in over 1 million gallons of sewage to flow into Oleta River, contaminating Biscayne Bay, that came with advisories urging swimmers and boaters not to enter the dirty water. Image by WSVN. Figure 1. Map of the area of Biscayne Bay. Image by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. both failing and poorly maintained pipes, groundwater levels would rise clogged pipes, and breaks due to construc- gradually over time and as a tion projects. In August 2019 a break caused result many are not function- by corrosion resulted in over 1 million gallons of ing as they were originally de- sewage to flow into Oleta River, contaminating signed (Figure 4). The County Biscayne Bay, that came with advisories urg- estimates that there are ap- ing swimmers and boaters not to enter the dirty proximately 100,000 septic water (Figure 2). Contamination of the Bay as a tanks within the urban devel- result of sewer overflows is a known concern opment boundary, with about that prompted an EPA Consent Decree back in 58-67% of tanks subject to 2013. periodic compromise over the next 20 years10. There are In 2013, Miami-Dade County entered into a fed- already about 1,000 properties erally-mandated Consent Decree with the U.S. with likely failing septic tanks EPA and FDEP to improve the County’s waste- under current conditions. water collection and treatment system. The decree ordered enhancements to the County’s In fact, a January 2019 study wastewater infrastructure and pledged to invest by Barreras et al. showed that about $1.6 billion over a fifteen-year period into fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) 82 capital projects at 3 wastewater treatment levels can be improved with plants8. better beach management strategies and sanitary infra- Addressing SSOs is a key part of restoring structure improvements that Biscayne Bay water quality and keeping our include increasing connec- Bay healthy and accessible to the public, tions to centralized wastewater keeping our tourism economy thriving and management systems9. Poorly improving the quality of life for our residents. maintained or failing septic tanks pose a significant risk Sea Level Rise & Septic Tank Vulnerability to Biscayne Bay water quality, as well as create a serious Another concern for the Bay is the vulnerabil- threat to the source of our lo- ity of our County’s septic systems. According cal drinking water supply6. to a Miami-Dade County Department of Reg- Figure 4. The County estimates that there are approximately 100,000 septic ulatory & Economic Resources (RER) report10, Nutrient Concentration tanks within the urban development boundary, with about 58-67% of tanks subject to periodic compromise over the next 20 years. septic tanks are ill-equipped to handle the Shifts & Seagrass Die-Off changing landscape due to sea level rise. gae-based ecosystem that is turbid and has The forthcoming Southeast Florida Regional In 2019, a Miami-Dade study reported a pre- reduced fisheries habitats (Figure 7)16. Climate Compact Sea Level Rise workgroup cipitous decline in seagrass meadows over reports that seas will continue to rise at an in- the last decade (Figure 5)10, primarily occurring A recent study by Millette et al (2019)1 found creased rate, adding another 5-12 inches of in 3 main regions of the Bay: 1) Barnes Sound that, over a 20-year period, both chloro- water by 2040 (e.g., projected rise of 10 to 17 and Manatee Bay basins (93% die-off), 2) cen- phyll a and phosphate concentrations have inches above 2000 mean sea level)11 (Figure 3). tral portion of Biscayne Bay near Coral Gables increased in the Bay, indicating eutrophi- (85% die-off), and 3) basins north of Ricken- cation. In all parts of the Bay, average chloro- The Miami-Dade RER report explains that, as backer Causeway (66%-89% die-off) (Figure phyll concentrations nearly always exceed the groundwater levels rise and the area of unsatu- 6). These die-offs were associated with excess FDEP numeric nutrient criteria in recent years. rated soil decreases, there is an increased risk nutrients in the water leading to a shift from a Nutrients and excessive algae growth (i.e. algal of pollution or system failure10. Septic systems seagrass-dominated habitat with clear water, blooms) lead to low levels of oxygen when the were not designed with the assumption that low turbidity and low levels of algae, to an al- algae die and are eaten by bacteria. Just like hu- mans, aquatic species require oxygen, and low levels of oxygen can be harmful to aquatic species. Further, low water clarity can reduce the light available to seagrass meadows, impacting their health. In fact, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recent- ly designated Biscayne Bay as one of their new “Habitat Focus Areas”, prompted by concerns of declining water quality in the Bay, including elevated levels of nutrients that can trigger algal blooms and contribute to seagrass die-offs15.

Seagrass meadows are critically important ecosystems for a healthy Bay environment. They are a direct food source for manatees and sea turtles and provide important habitat for juve- nile species of recreationally- and commercial- ly-important fish. They also play a critical role in regulating water clarity by stabilizing sediments and reducing erosion, store significant atmo- Figure 3. The forthcoming Southeast Florida Regional Climate Compact Sea Level Rise workgroup reports that seas spheric CO2, oxygenate the water column for will continue to rise at an increased rate, adding another 5-12 inches of water by 2040 (e.g., projected rise of 10 to 17 inches above 2000 mean sea level) Figure 5. Timeline of seagrass loss events and total reduction in seagrass basin in Biscayne Bay.

aquatic species, and filter nu- this is a clear indication of how shoreline and trients from the overlying water watershed land-use influence the impact that column. Seagrass recovery is natural disasters can have on our Bay water vitally important for a healthy quality. and resilient Biscayne Bay. Plastic Trash and Marine Debris Moreover, eutrophication, which is an excess of nutri- Marine debris is a global problem caused ents, has been a persistent by the overuse of single-use plastics, hu- problem in Biscayne Bay, man carelessness, and ineffective waste with nitrogen and phosphorus streams. It is estimated that by 2050, there will loadings influenced by their be more plastic trash in the ocean by weight geographic locations relative to than fish. The negative impacts include harm to discharge amount, watershed marine wildlife, toxic chemicals entering human land use, stormwater runoff, food supplies, lower real estate values, dam- and proximity to landfills13. To age to watercraft, and more expensive cleanup add, a significant source of costs. nutrient load is also caused by natural debris rotting in storm Each year, volunteers pull over 50,000 pounds drain systems due to infrequent of trash from Biscayne Bay waters and shore- maintenance. lines. While derelict fishing gear, boater activities, and illegal dumping are significant sources Extreme events like hurricanes of marine debris, much of Biscayne Bay trash also impact Bay water quality. is street litter traveling through storm drain sys- Zhang et al (2009) showed that tems and canals. In fact, there is so much trash after Hurricane Katrina, nutri- in Miami-Dade canals maintained by South ent concentrations increased Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), in Biscayne Bay in response to that it is visible from satellite imagery and Goo- runoff from agricultural sites17. gle maps (Figure 8). While nutrient concentrations in the Bay returned to pre-hurri- The FDEP has issued a National Pollution Dis- Figure 6. Seagrass loss areas for the study period 2005-2018 in Biscayne Bay. cane levels a few months later, charge Elimination System and Municipal Sep- arate Storm Sewer System permit that covers all areas located within the political boundary of Miami-Dade County, but plastic trash is not considered a “pollutant” only a nuisance which impedes water flow. A lack of centralized strategy, guidance, and oversight results in a wide range of pollution control designs and maintenance practices that are often insufficient. It has been discovered that many entities operating under the FDEP permit (including Miami-Dade County) are cleaning their Figure 7. In-situ photographs of seagrass die-off at fixed sampling location BH-14 from June 2016, September 2016 stormwater systems only once every 5+ years, and June 2017, respectively. These photos show the devastating impact of the Bay’s declining water quality on which renders the pollution controls ineffective Biscayne Bay ecosystem services valuation, economy are at stake if the quality of its wa- and creates flooding due to clogged systems19. securing “bold” institutional support research ter and natural ecosystems aren’t improved. coordination, implementation, and application, Biscayne Bay’s continued degradation will With some focus, planning, coordination, and focus research efforts on public health, eco- tragically impact the County’s economic ac- oversight, the amount of plastic entering Bis- nomics and recreational uses and create a living tivities that rely on the iconic waterway. It’s cayne Bay can be significantly reduced. laboratory for Bay health to train the next gener- up to all of us to take immediate action in ation of scientists and environmental stewards. order to turn the tide for our irreplaceable If we don’t take immediate action to restore Biscayne Bay. degraded areas of the Bay and protect ar- 4. Call for a new, permanent Biscayne Bay eas of the Bay that remain healthy, our Management Plan that will establish a report economy and quality of life continue to be card for the Bay, create a reasonable assurance at great risk. plan, Basin management action plan, and/or enforce total maximum daily loads (TMDL) for References pollutant in the Bay (including implementing a 1. Office of Economic and Demographic Research - Miami Dade plastics ban), and create a permanent Biscayne County Statistics.

Bay Task Force to monitor Bay progress. 2. Integrated Resource Management Applications Portal - Biscayne National Park Visitor Statistics.

What is FIU Doing? 3. Miami Beach Year-in-Review 2018/2019.

Research conducted at Florida International 4. National Park Service - Biscayne National Park Statistics.

University’s Institute of Environment is leading 5. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Miami Area Employment Data. the way in identifying some of the factors de- grading the marine health of our local Biscayne 6. Biscayne Bay Grand Jury Report. Bay. Our work includes: 7. Biscayne Bay Economic Study by Hazen & Sawyer.

• Technology: Twenty-five years of water 8. Miami-Dade County Consent Decree Program. quality data collected and classified into 42 9. Henry Barreras, Elizabeth A. Kelly, Naresh Kumar, Helena M. So- groups of water quality types; three specially lo-Gabriele, Assessment of local and regional strategies to control bacteria levels at beaches with consideration of impacts from cli- designed research buoys featuring an array of mate change, Marine Pollution Bulletin, Volume 138, 2019, ISSN high-tech sensors used to analyze Bay water 0025-326X, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.10.046.

quality and provide early detection for danger- 10. Miami-Dade County Department of Regulatory and Economic ous contaminants and pollutants in our water- Resources, Miami-Dade County Water and Sewer Department and Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County. Septic Sys- Figure 8. Trash in SFWMD canals. ways, including harmful algal blooms. tems Vulnerable to Sea Level Rise, 2018.

What Can Be Done? • Research: Collaborating with the Biscayne 11. Southeast Florida Regional Climate Compact - Sea Level Rise Bay Aquatic Preserve (BBAP) for seagrass Projections 2019. Participants of the second Biscayne Bay Marine monitoring that can help us better understand 12. U.S. EPA Septic Systems Case Studies. Health Summit, which over 300 people attend- seagrass die-off within the Bay; understanding 13.Valentina G. Caccia, Joseph N. Boyer, Spatial patterning of wa- ed, offered a number of crucial recommenda- the impact of mixed urban and natural influenc- ter quality in Biscayne Bay, Florida as a function of land use and tions18 for saving our Bay, a few highlighted es on the overall health of the Bay, including the water management, Marine Pollution Bulletin, Volume 50, Issue 11, 2005, ISSN 0025-326X, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol- here: role of land-based sources of nutrients; study- bul.2005.08.002. ing the lives of the Bay’s resident dolphin to gain 1. Improve the County’s wastewater and a better understanding of how they respond to 14. Millette, N.C., Kelble, C., Linhoss, A. et al. Estuaries and Coasts (2019) 42: 1792. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12237-019-00610-5. stormewater infrastructure by preventing disturbances and environmental change. nutrients and trash from entering and exiting 15. NOAA - 2015-2020 Biscayne Bay Habitat Focus Area Imple- stormwater systems, addressing canals as • Community: Hosting the first and second mentation Plan. large conveyors of pollution, fixing sewer and Biscayne Bay Marine Health Summits to iden- 16. Miami-Dade County, Report on the Findings of the County’s septic systems, and prioritizing living shore- tify the sources of Biscayne Bay’s declining Study on the Decline of Seagrass and Hardbottom Habitat in Bis- cayne Bay, 2019. lines and living seawalls, guided by science and marine health. The Summits brought together monitoring to deliver the biggest impact for Bis- stakeholders and experts to act on improving 17. Jia-Zhong Zhang, Christopher R. Kelble, Charles J. Fischer, Lloyd Moore, Hurricane Katrina induced nutrient runoff from an cayne Bay health. Bay health and protecting Biscayne Bay. The agricultural area to coastal waters in Biscayne Bay, Florida, Es- last Summit led to the creation of the Biscayne tuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, Volume 84, Issue 2, 2009, 2. Declare Biscayne Bay an environmen- Bay Task Force (BBTF) by Miami-Dade County. Pages 209-218, ISSN 0272-7714, https://doi.org/10.1016/j. ecss.2009.06.026. tal health emergency and increase public The BBTF prepares a written report with rec- education and engagement by mandating ommendations to the Mayor and the Board of 18. Miami-Dade County Biscayne Bay Task Force, BBTF Minutes, sustainable best practices for all events in pub- County Commissioners identifying problem ar- December 2019. lic places, enforcing a ban on plastics so that eas, prioritizing projects and providing recom- 19. State of Florida - Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System Per- plastic pollution doesn’t end up in the Bay, and mendations regarding state and federal legisla- mit, Permit Number FLS000003-004. calling for volunteer support to advocate for Bay tion, activities and appropriations. To find out more information about the Biscayne Bay Marine Health health. Summit, please visit: http://biscaynebayfl.com/.

Biscayne Bay needs all the help it can get to Compiled on February 7, 2020 and revised on June 17, 2020 by the 3. Focus research and monitoring to- bring it back to a healthy state. The Bay’s signif- FIU Institute of Environment. 305 348 3095, [email protected]. ward quality of life outcomes by updating a icant contributions to the Miami-Dade County

FIU Institute of Environment College of Arts, Sciences & Education 305.348.3095 11200 SW 8th Street, OE 148 https://environment.fiu.edu Miami, FL 33199