| Table of Contents Coastal Rivers Basin SWIM Plan Update Page Executive Summary .................................................................................................... vii 1.0 Introduction ........................................................................................................... 1 1.1 The SWIM Act - Purpose and Intent .......................................................................... 1 1.2 SWIM in the Suwannee River Water Management District ........................................ 3 1.2.1 Previous SWIM Plans ...................................................................................... 4 1.2.2 SWIM Plan Update and Consolidation ............................................................. 6 1.2.3 Integrating Water Management and the Economy ........................................... 7 1.2.3.1 Preserving Working Forests to Protect Water Quantity and Quality ........................................................................................... 8 1.2.3.2 Improving Water Quality to Promote Aquaculture in Coastal Communities ...................................................................................... 9 1.2.3.3 Preserving Wild and Scenic Coastal Rivers ...................................... 10 1.2.3.4 Innovative Agricultural Practices to Promote a Sustainable Regional Economy ........................................................................... 10 1.2.3.5 Springs-Based Recreation and Tourism ........................................... 12 1.2.3.6 Hydrologic Restoration and Aquifer Recharge .................................. 12 1.2.3.7 Summary ......................................................................................... 13 1.3 Coastal Rivers Basin Planning Area Description ...................................................... 13 1.3.1 Physiography and Topography ...................................................................... 16 1.3.2 Hydrogeology ................................................................................................ 17 1.3.3 Hydrology and Water Chemistry .................................................................... 18 1.3.4 Natural Systems ............................................................................................ 19 1.3.4.1 Upland Habitats ................................................................................ 19 1.3.4.2 Freshwater Habitats.......................................................................... 20 1.3.4.3 Marine/ Estuarine Habitats................................................................ 21 1.3.5 Land Use ....................................................................................................... 21 2.0 Issues and Drivers .............................................................................................. 27 2.1 Water Quantity ......................................................................................................... 27 2.1.1 Regulatory Framework .................................................................................. 27 2.1.1.1 Minimum Flows and Minimum Water Levels (MFLs) ......................... 28 2.1.1.2 Consumptive Use ............................................................................. 29 2.1.2 Status and Trends ......................................................................................... 29 2.1.2.1 Aucilla and Wacissa Rivers ............................................................... 30 2.1.2.2 Econfina River .................................................................................. 31 2.1.2.3 Fenholloway River ............................................................................ 33 2.1.2.4 Steinhatchee River ........................................................................... 33 2.1.2.5 Waccasassa River and Levy Blue Spring ......................................... 35 2.1.3 Regulatory Issues .......................................................................................... 37 2.1.4 Threats to Water Quantity .............................................................................. 37 2.2 Water Quality ........................................................................................................... 38 2.2.1 Regulatory Framework .................................................................................... 38 2.2.2 Status and Trends ......................................................................................... 38 2.2.2.1 Nitrogen ......................................................................................... 39 2.2.2.2 Phosphorus ...................................................................................... 41 Coastal Rivers Basin SWIM Plan Update i ESA / D150586.00 Final November 2017 Table of Contents Page 2.2.3 Regulatory Issues .......................................................................................... 43 2.2.3.1 Impairments ...................................................................................... 43 2.2.3.2 Potential Effect of Revisions to Water Quality Standards .................. 46 2.2.3.3 Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) ............................................... 47 2.2.4 Threats to Water Quality ................................................................................ 50 2.3 Natural Systems ...................................................................................................... 53 2.3.1 Upland Habitats ............................................................................................. 54 2.3.2 Freshwater Habitats ...................................................................................... 57 2.3.2.1 Springs and Spring Runs .................................................................. 60 2.3.2.2 Freshwater Marshes ......................................................................... 61 2.3.2.3 Forested Wetlands ........................................................................... 61 2.3.3 Marine/ Estuarine Habitats ............................................................................ 64 2.3.3.1 Tidal wetlands................................................................................... 65 2.3.3.2 Hard and Soft Bottom Habitats ......................................................... 66 2.3.3.3 Seagrass Beds ................................................................................. 70 2.3.3.4 Freshwater SAV ............................................................................... 72 2.3.4 Listed Species ............................................................................................... 72 2.3.5 Threats to Natural Systems ........................................................................... 73 2.3.5.1 Land Use Changes ........................................................................... 74 2.3.5.2 Declines in Water Quantity and Quality ............................................ 76 2.3.5.3 Introduction of Non-Native and Invasive Species .............................. 76 2.3.5.4 Climate Change ................................................................................ 77 3.0 Management Actions .......................................................................................... 79 3.1 Water Quantity ......................................................................................................... 79 3.2 Water Quality ........................................................................................................... 81 3.3 Natural Systems ...................................................................................................... 82 4.0 Projects and Initiatives ....................................................................................... 86 4.1 Ongoing Projects and Initiatives ............................................................................... 86 4.1.1 Water Quantity............................................................................................... 86 4.1.2 Water Quality ................................................................................................. 87 4.1.3 Natural Systems ............................................................................................ 87 4.2 Proposed Projects ................................................................................................... 89 4.2.1 Water Quantity............................................................................................... 89 4.2.2 Water Quality ................................................................................................. 92 4.2.3 Natural Systems ............................................................................................ 94 List of Figures 1. District Boundary. ....................................................................................................................... 4 2. Consolidated Coastal Rivers Basin SWIM Plan area. ............................................................. 15 3. Physiographic Regions of the District (District 2010) ............................................................... 17 4. Confinement Conditions of the Upper Floridan Aquifer within the District (confinement conditions from Miller, 1986) ........................................................................................... 18 5. Land use in the Coastal Rivers Basin in 1995 (Note: The watershed boundary extends beyond the District land use coverage available). .......................................................... 22 6. Land use in the Coastal Rivers