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Page 9 Attachment B: Supporting Research November 24, 2020 Update 2 — Research Review Phase of IRL Plan (https://www.cdc.gov/habs/index.htmi) may provide more health and safety information on HABs. To report human illnesses caused by HABs, both FDOH (850-245-4401) and Florida's Poison Control Centers (1-800-222-1222) have hotlines to obtain this information. Fish kills may be reported to FWC's hotline (1- 800-636-0511) and red tide or blue-green algae blooms may be reported to FDEP's hotline (855-305- 3903). Understanding algal blooms is a complex web of understanding nutrient flux dynamics, diurnal flux in dissolved oxygen, and the role of legacy nutrients within a system, with many researchers devoting their studies to better understanding this complexity. The long-term impacts of these blooms and their toxicities, as well as the interactions of trophic levels and the effects on naturally managing blooms, are also not well understood. Harmful algal blooms can occur and be carried into the Lagoon through outside sources, such as ocean currents, stormwater discharges, or freshwater discharges, so studying these blooms requires looking beyond the Lagoon itself. In the meantime, algal communities should be monitored to predict and prevent harmful algal blooms from growing unchecked. Residents and the County should work to reduce nutrients from external and internal sources to decrease the concentrations that fuel these blooms. Continued research should be encouraged into understanding the causes and impacts of blooms, short and long term. The County should continue to participate in forums and discussions with other agencies about harmful algal blooms, and should continue to update the Harmful Algal Bloom Management Plan as new information arises and be prepared implement this plan if faced with new blooms in the future. 3. State and Regulatory Review of Rules State and Regulatory Rules play a major role in regulating the levels and sources of nutrients the Lagoon receives from upland sources. Within the County, the Utilities Department and Stormwater Division have to follow various rules and permit conditions to minimize nutrient impacts from their projects and their plants. These permits may require nutrient information to be collected and submitted on various timescales to permitting agencies. State and Regulatory Rules also play a major role in protecting the biological and ecologically diverse habitats of the Lagoon, attempting to ensure viability for these important organisms and ecosystems to survive. The Clean Water Act (CWA) of 1972 set the federal foundation to implement pollution control programs and develop national water quality criteria for surface water pollutants. Phase II of the CWA requires the County to implement programs and practices to control polluted stormwater runoff, through the requirements of National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits. These permits are administered through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), with the County required to record certain information during each permit year and submit yearly reports to FDEP. Environmental Resource Permits (ERPs) can be administered through FDEP and St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD), These permits are issued for activities that alter natural water flow or increase the quantity of stormwater runoff and are intended to prevent adverse flooding, manage surface water, and protect water quality, wetlands, and other surface waters during new development or construction activities. The County is able to review these permits before they are issued to the permittees. Portions of the Lagoon are considered an Outstanding Florida Water, which means regulated activities permitted through ERPs within the Lagoon cannot adversely impact the waters, and must be 110