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New legislation passed by the Florida Senate has conservationists and fishermen alike celebrating. Help by sharing the good news with Wildpath's Stormwater Media Toolkit!
The Statewide Stormwater Rule (SB 7040) detailed in the Clean Waterways Act, was signed into law this June. The new rule establishes stringent minimum performance standards for stormwater treatment systems. The systems must achieve at least an 80% reduction in the average annual post-development total suspended solids load. In areas with Outstanding Florida Waters (OFW) or upstream regions, this requirement increases to 95%. The rule also mandates that post-development nutrient loading must not exceed pre-development levels. Specific targets for nitrogen and phosphorus reductions are set based on the condition of the receiving water body.
Stormwater is a leading cause of pollution across Florida’s freshwater resources and estuaries. As it runs across yards, parking lots, roads and industrial sites, rain picks up fertilizer, litter, grass clippings, dog waste, petroleum products and other contaminants. The impacts to the state’s aquaculture and tourism industries are widespread. New policies like the Statewide Stormwater Rule can now help protect Florida's sensitive waterways and ecosystems which are the life support systems for people and wildlife.
Wildpath has created a Stormwater Media Toolkit to celebrate this conservation milestone. Please share these stories and images with your audience.
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