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E-1 • 5) What is the impact of the problem to be addressed by the proposed project on the surface water ecosystem? What is the classification of the receiving water body? Does harm to the receiving water body occur on a frequent basis? -- 15 points THE IMPACT OF THE PROBLEMS ADDRESSED BY THE PROPOSED PROJECT ON THE INDIAN RIVER LAGOON ECOSYSTEM IS THAT EXCESSIVE FRESH WATER/UNTREATED STORMWATER RUNOFF IS DISCHARGED FROM THE WATERSHED INTO THE SURFACE WATER ECOSYSTEM. THIS EXCESSIVE SLUG OF FRESHWATER REDUCES SALINITY IN THE LAGOON, CAUSES SILTATION OF SEAGRASS BEDS, AND POLLUTES THE ESTUARINE ENVIRONMENT, THE CLASSIFICATION OF THE RECEIVING WATER BODY IS CLASS III WATER OF THE STATE NEAR THE VERO BEACH AREA (SEE ATTACHED MAP - EXHIBIT -F-) AND FLORIDA OUTSTANDING WATERS. THE ATTACHED NOV, 14, 1999 VERO BEACH PRESS JOURNAL NEWSPAPER EDITORIAL MARKED EXHIBIT "G" EFFECTIVELY DESCRIBES THE IMPACT OF THE PROBLEM. HARM TO THE RECEIVING WATER BODY OCCURS REGULARLY, AT LEAST TWICE PER YEAR TO A LARGE SCALE, TO CONCLUDE, IN SEGMENT 3. THE EFFECTS OF THE SEBASTIAN RIVER AND THE INDIAN RIVER FARMS WATER CONTROL DISTRICT DISCHARGES ARE OBVIOUS, AS SALINITY VALUES DROP TO ABOUT 26.0 PPT NEAR VERO NORTH, MAIN AND SOUTH CANAL OUTFALLS. THIS PART OF THE LAGOON HAS A SMALL SURFACE AREA SO EVAPORATION 19 REDUCED AS WELL. ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF THE EFFECT OF THE FRESHWATER DISCHARGE INTO THIS SEGMENT IS COLOR, ACCORDING TO WOODWARD CLYDE, WET SEASON COLOR VALUES ARE HIGHER THAN DRY SEASON VALUES BY A FACTOR OF 3, INDICATING DISCHARGE OF COLORED, TANNIN -LADEN WATERS DURING WET SEASON STORMWATER AND GROUNDWATER FLOW. TOTAL PHOSPHORUS VALUES AROUND THE THREE VERO CANAL DISCHARGE POINTS (SOUTH, MAIN AND NORTH CANALS, AS WELL AS THE SEBASTIAN RIVER, THE FELLSMERE CANAL AND C-64, ARE SUBSTANTIALLY HIGHER THAN ELSEWHERE IN THE LAGOON. TOTAL KJELDAHL NITROGEN IS ALSO ELEVATED IN THIS PORTION OF THE LAGOON BETWEEN WABASSO AND VERO BEACH, INDICATING THAT THIS ENTIRE SEGMENT OF THE LAGOON MAY BE AFFECTED BY DISCHARGES FROM THE SEBASTIAN RIVER AND THE INDIAN RIVER FARMS WATER CONTROL DISTRICT. SEE ATTACHED PAGES 6). Is this project approved by referendum, approved by the county/city commission, or strongly supported by the Public? --5 Points THE PLANNING PROJECT HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THE INDIAN RIVER COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (12107/99 MEETING) AND THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF THE INDIAN RIVER FARMS WATER CONTROL DISTRICT (F.S, CHAPTER 298 DRAINAGE DISTRICT) DURING ITS 11/11/99 MEETING. THE PROJECT IS STRONGLY SUPPORTED (SEE EXHIBIT 'I-) M(W511) Reviewer's Initial - S(12000- Item (5) - Is SJRWMD Reviewer's Initial - S02000- Item (6) - 5 B-4