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Innovative Technologies — These were not evaluated. DEP is not aware of a <br />technology used at full scale for any extended time period, and so does not <br />have enough information to make an analysis. <br />G. An analysis of the impact on small business as defined by s. 288.703, F.S., and an <br />analysis of the impact on small counties and small cities as defined by s. 120.52, <br />F. S. (Includes: <br />• Why the regulation is needed (e.g., How will the regulation make the regulatory process more efficient? <br />Required to meet changes in federal law? Required to meet changes in state law?], - <br />This regulation is needed to reduce the quantities of nutrients, particularly <br />phosphorus, that potentially impact Florida's waters. Degradation of water <br />quality results in algae blooms and potentially reduced tourism and <br />recreational activities. Although the implementation of the rule will <br />adversely affect certain small businesses and counties, it will serve to <br />protect the interests of other small businesses and counties. <br />• The type of small businesses that would be subject to the rule; <br />Private biosolids treatment facilities, septage management facilities, <br />biosolids transporters; and ranchers and farmers. <br />• Many biosolids land application sites (ranchers and farmers) may <br />cease accepting biosolids which not only affect them financially, but <br />also affect the biosolids treatment facilities and septage <br />management facilities who use the sites. <br />• Small biosolids treatment facilities may close if they cannot acquire <br />land application sites or afford to permit new sites. <br />• Septage management facilities may close, meaning septage would <br />need to be transported long distances to other suitable facilities. <br />• The probable impact on affected small businesses [e.g., increased reporting requirements increased <br />staffing; increased legal or accounting fees?], <br />Because the revised rule could result in significantly reduced biosolids <br />land application rates, significant amounts of additional land will need <br />to be acquired. This could increase permitting costs and operational <br />costs. Additionally, some sites may not comply with the seasonal high <br />water table requirements or may stop accepting biosolids; as mentioned <br />previously, it may be necessary to procure additional land, likely at <br />farther distances than current sites. Additional monitoring requirements <br />will increase operational costs. These costs may result in an untenable <br />situation for some biosolids treatment facilities and septage <br />management facilities, which could cause them to close. Lastly, the <br />reduction in biosolids application rates, as well as the potential loss of <br />biosolids, will result in the loss of a valuable fertilizer resource, cost <br />savings, and crop production (hay/pasture) for ranchers and farmers. <br />• The likely per -firm regulatory cost increase, if any). <br />This depends of the type of operation, the size of the site or facility, and <br />the location of the facility. <br />147 <br />