Evaluating The Credibility Of Current State Policy In Governing The Management Of Stormwater Pond Sediment

Abstract

Florida state policy—not promulgated regulation—governs stormwater pond sediment disposal, considers sediment a solid waste, and restricts disposal to specific facility types. The policy’s restrictions and lack of regulatory criteria provide no disposal management options for local government. The unnecessarily restrictive state policy prompted the city of Tallahassee to conduct a stormwater pond sediment study to determine whether existing sediment is contaminated, if land use can provide guidance in evaluating disposal options, and whether acceptable disposal alternatives exist. Study findings reveal that considerable variation of contaminant concentrations exists, that land-use features influence contaminant concentration, and that all ponds do not contain or are not likely to contain sediment contaminated to a level requiring restrictive disposal. Findings compared with regulatory criteria reveal public health and the environment can be protected without the current state policy provided local government examines sediment and considers restrictions.