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OCT 9 1985 BDOK . 62 PAGE 335 The Florida Department of Natural Resources has prepared a 'draft management plan for the Malabar to Vero Beach Aquatic Preserve and is requesting public comment. The proposed plan represents implementation of Chapter 16Q-200Florida Admini- strative Code relating to Florida's Aquatic Preserves under the authority of Chapters 258 and 253 Florida Statutes (F.S.). The final plan will be adopted through resolution by the Governor & !Cabinet, sitting as the Board of Trustees of the Internal... Improvement Trust Fund. All management responsibilities stipulated in the final plan may be fulfilled directly by the Governor & Cabinet or indirectly through the Department of Natural Resources staff (Bureau of Environmental Land Manage- ment) . ALTERNATIVES AND ANALYSIS: As stated previously, the major objective of the resource management. plan in the aquatic preserve is to protect and manage the area's resources in a manner which maintains exist- ing or natural conditions. Specifically, the following administrative objectives are an essential part of the aquatic preserve management plan: a. To ensure a comprehensive, coordinated review and eval- uation of proposed activities potentially affecting the environmental integrity of the aquatic preserve; b. To review all existing and past activities as to their effect on the environmental integrity of the aquatic preserve. The Relationship Between Aquatic Preserves & Other State Waters In compliance with state and federal law, the Florida Depart- ment of Environmental Regulation has classified all surface waters of the state. Classifications are determined by the present and future most beneficial use of these waters, and establish water quality criteria for such parameters as biolog- ical oxygen demand, detergents, oils and grease, specific metals and pesticides, pH, turbidity, and radioactive sub- stances. All surface waters within the study area are either Class II - Shellfish Propagation or Harvesting, or Class III - Recreation - Propagation and Management of Fish and Wildlife. Essen- tially, the Class II standards place more stringent limitations on bacteriological and flouride pollution, with other water quality standards being identical for marine waters of the two classes. Management standards_ for Class II waters, however, are much more restrictive than standards for Class III waters. For example, direct discharge -of treated wastewater effluent into Class II waters is prohibited, as are dredge and fill projects except where the applicant has submitted a plan of procedure which will adequately protect the project vicinity from significant damage. Dredge and fill permits may also be denied in any class of waters where such activities may result in violation of water quality, standards in nearby Class II waters. The 'Class III water quality standards are intended to maintain suitability for body contact sports and recreation, and produc- tion of diverse fish and wildlife communities. State dredge and fill restrictions are geared toward protection of the water quality standards, with fish and wildlife habitat considera- tions occupying a supportive, but not decisive role. 28