| Constructed wetlands used as buffers to retain nutrients and other contaminants are usually managed to improve their overall performance, and to maintain expected water quality improvement. Stormwater Treatment Areas (STAs) are critical to achieve long-term water quality goals to reduce nutrient loads to the Everglades Protection Area. The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) has constructed about 40,000 acres of STAs on former agricultural lands at five strategic locations to reduce nutrient loads entering the Water Conservation Areas. In addition, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers constructed a sixth STA consisting of about 5,000 acres of wetlands. The SFWMD is responsible for operating, maintaining, and ! optimizing the nutrient removal performance of all the STAs. The STAs that are in operation include: STA-1E since 2004) and STA-1W (since 1994), STA-2 (since 2000), STA-3/4 (since 2004), STA-5 (since 1999), and STA-6 (since 1998.) Objectives: 1. Review current monitoring programs and datasets, including sampling methods, frequencies, durations and other information for all STAs and propose scientifically sound analytical approaches for data interpretation 2. Summarize the spatial and temporal dynamics of each STA in terms of water, soil, and vegetative characteristics and correlate such information with the observed STA performance 3. Lead and coordinate a technical workshop focusing on the operation and management of the STAs |
