As part of the Everglades Foundation's ongoing scientific and economic research efforts, the Foundation commissioned RTI International, a respected and independent research institute, to conduct a comprehensive study involving the collection and analysis of public data with the goal of answering several questions: Who contributes what share of the pollution flowing directly into 1) the Everglades and 2) the broader footprint of the South Florida Water Management District? Who pays for the cost of cleaning up this pollution?
The findings of this study are especially timely considering the ongoing discussions underway between the federal government and the state of Florida over water quality standards that have been the subject of litigation for two decades.
While the RTI study assembles a wide range of data from a variety of sources, perhaps one of the most striking findings is the fact that the agricultural industry is responsible for 76 percent of the phosphorus pollution entering the Everglades. In addition, researchers determined that the agricultural industry pays ONLY 24 percent of the cost of phosphorus removal, leaving the balance of the burden on the shoulders of taxpayers.
In 1996, Florida voters overwhelmingly approved, with 68 percent of the vote, a "Polluter Pays" amendment to the state Constitution. This amendment clearly states that those who cause pollution in the Everglades Agricultural Area must be primarily responsible for paying the cost of cleaning it up.
Now, 16 years later, Florida policymakers and the public for the first time have a comprehensive, independent study that examines the sources of pollution in the Everglades, an analysis of the costs that have been incurred to clean up this pollution, and an accounting of who is paying these costs.
RTI evaluated pollution within the boundaries of the South Florida Water Management District and in the more narrowly focused regions or "subbasins." To conduct the analysis, the study area was subdivided into six major subbasins and three minor subbasins. Within each subbasin, RTI grouped (nutrient) pollution reduction activities into four major categories: Domestic Wastewater Treatment Facilities; Urban Stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs); Agricultural BMPs; and Public Works Projects.
When pollution levels exceed scientifically determined limits, harm is done to the ecosystem, its fish and other wildlife, the drinking water supply and human health.
To meet the water quality and supply objectives of Everglades restoration, new measures to control pollution at its source must be coupled with public works projects, some of which have been fully constructed and others which are planned or under way.
These public works projects - primarily filtration marshes, commonly called stormwater treatment areas (STAs), flow equalization basins (FEBs), and other structures - will be focused on removing agricultural pollution before it enters the fragile Everglades ecosystem that supplies 1 in 3 Floridians with their daily supply of fresh water.
