Fla. Admin. Code Ann. R. 62-303.330 - Biological Assessment

(1) Biological data must meet the requirements of subsections (3) and (8) in Rule 62-303.320, F.A.C.

(2) Biological Health Assessments used to evaluate predominantly freshwater streams and lakes under this rule shall include the Stream Condition Index (SCI), the Lake Vegetation Index (LVI), and the Shannon-Weaver Diversity Index. BioRecons can also be used to evaluate predominantly freshwater streams under this rule. Because these Biological Health Assessment procedures require specific training and expertise, persons conducting a BioRecon, SCI or LVI must comply with the quality assurance requirements of Chapter 62-160, F.A.C., attend at least eight hours of Department field training and pass a Department audit that verifies the sampler follows the applicable SOPs, as set forth in Chapter 62-160, F.A.C., before their Biological Health Assessment data will be considered valid for use under this rule.

(3) A water segment shall be included on the Planning List if it meets any of the following conditions, given a minimum sample size of one bioassessment:

(a) One of the two most recent Shannon-Weaver Diversity Index (subsection 62-302.530(10), F.A.C.) scores is less than 75 percent of the value from an appropriate control site.

(b) One of the two most recent SCI scores is:

1. A score of <= 35, or

2. A 20 point reduction from the historic maximum value if the historic maximum value SCI is above 64.

(c) One of the two most recent BioRecon has a score <= 4.

(d) One of the two most recent Lake Vegetation Index scores is:

1. A score <= 43, or

2. A 20 point reduction from the historic maximum value if the historic maximum value LVI is above 78.

(4) The "historic maximum value" shall be the highest mean of any three consecutive, temporally independent Stream Condition Index (SCI) scores or Lake Vegetation Index (LVI) scores at the same location that are collected prior to the most recent sample being considered for evaluation with this provision. For the purposes of setting historic maximum values, the "same location" for a stream shall be defined as being within 200 meters.

(5) To qualify as temporally independent samples, each Biological Health Assessment shall be conducted at least three months apart. Biological Health Assessments conducted within 200 meters in a stream or within the same lake less than three months apart shall be considered one sample, with the mean value used to represent the sampling period. Biological Health Assessments conducted at locations greater than 200 meters apart in a stream shall be assessed as independent scores regardless of temporal separation of samples.

(6) Other information relevant to the biological health of the water segment, including toxicity tests and information about alterations in the type, nature, or function of a waterbody, shall also be considered when assessing aquatic life use support.

Notes

Fla. Admin. Code Ann. R. 62-303.330

Rulemaking Authority 403.061, 403.067 FS. Law Implemented 403.062, 403.067 FS.

New 6-10-02, Amended 12-11-06, 7-2-12, Amended by Florida Register Volume 42, Number 021, February 02, 2016 effective 2/17/2016.

New 6-10-02, Amended 12-11-06, 7-2-12, 2-17-16.