CERP - ASRSP Aquifer Storage and Recovery Science Plan

The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) and United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) prepared this 2021 Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) Science Plan to address uncertainties identified in the National Research Council’s (NRC’s) review of the ASR Regional Study Final Technical Data Report. Studies discussed herein will be conducted as ASR wells are constructed in a phased manner. A brief history of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) ASR program is provided here for context. The 1999 Central and Southern Florida Project Comprehensive Review Study (Restudy) identified the potential use of ASR technology as a means of storing water in aquifers for later use. The Restudy proposed construction of up to 333 ASR wells to recharge, store, and recover water underground to provide water for the Everglades, improve water levels in Lake Okeechobee, prevent damaging releases to the coastal estuaries, and ensure water supply for agricultural and urban development in South Florida. Acknowledging this unprecedented use of ASR technology, the Restudy recommended construction of pilot projects and development of a regional evaluation of the effects of large-scale use of ASR in South Florida. The plans for these projects were developed and reviewed by the NRC during 2001 and 2002. The results of the construction and testing of the ASR pilot projects along the Hillsboro Canal and C-38 Canal (Kissimmee River) were published in 2013 (CERP ASR Pilot Project Technical Data Report) and 2015 (CERP ASR Regional Study Final Report). Those investigations indicated a reduced number of ASR wells (not 333 as originally proposed) wastechnically viable without detrimental effects to the aquifer, the environment, and nearby water users. Specifically, the investigations determined that 80 ASR wells could be constructed in the vicinity of Lake Okeechobee. The CERP ASR Regional Study Final Technical Data Report was reviewed by the NRC in 2015. The NRC concurred with the report findings but identified some uncertainties and topics that warranted continued investigation. In 2020, the SFWMD and USACE released the Final Integrated Project Implementation Report and Environmental Impact Statement (PIR/EIS) for the Lake Okeechobee Watershed Restoration Project (LOWRP). The Recommended Plan identified in the LOWRP PIR/EIS included 80 ASR wells, a wetland attenuation feature (shallow impoundment), and two areas of wetland restoration. During public review of the PIR/EIS, stakeholder concerns were raised about the remaining ASR uncertainties highlighted by the NRC review. During the July 2019 Governing Board meeting, the SFWMD committed to developing a plan forscientific research, investigating the uncertainties as ASR wells are constructed in a phased manner. This inaugural ASR Science Plan is the result of that commitment. The ASR Science Plan is intended to be updated annually or as needed as the ASR program is implemented and as data, research, and science become available. The ASR Science Plan was developed with guidance from an independent ASR peer-review panel of eminent Florida scholars and scientists. The document provides the initial plan of studies and investigations that will take place as the ASR program moves forward. The ASR Science Plan will be reviewed annually by the peer-review panel, to be kept apprised of the investigations’ findings and to assist in developing future studies that ensure ASR technology is implemented in a science-led, phased approach. This publication continues the SFWMD and USACE’s commitment to communicate with the public as work progresses toward restoration of the South Florida ecosystem

南佛罗里达水资源管理区（SFWMD）与美国陆军工程兵团（USACE）联合编制了本《2021年含水层存储与回采（ASR）科学计划》，旨在解决美国国家研究委员会（NRC）对ASR区域研究最终技术数据报告审查中发现的不确定性问题。

本文所述研究将随ASR井的分阶段建设同步开展。为便于理解，下文简要介绍综合大沼泽恢复计划（CERP）下ASR项目的发展历程。

1999年《佛罗里达中南部项目综合审查研究》（简称Restudy）指出，ASR技术可作为含水层储水以备后续使用的潜在手段。该审查研究提议建设多达333口ASR井，通过地下水的补给、存储与回采，为大沼泽提供水源、提升奥基乔比湖水位、防止向沿海河口排放破坏性水量，并保障南佛罗里达农业与城市发展的供水需求。鉴于ASR技术的这种前所未有的应用场景，该审查研究建议开展试点项目建设，并对南佛罗里达大规模应用ASR技术的影响进行区域评估。

这些项目的计划于2001-2002年间制定并经NRC审查。沿希尔斯伯勒运河与C-38运河（基西米河）开展的ASR试点项目建设与测试结果，分别于2013年（《CERP ASR试点项目技术数据报告》）和2015年（《CERP ASR区域研究最终报告》）发布。上述研究表明，减少ASR井数量（非最初提议的333口）在技术上是可行的，且不会对含水层、环境及周边用水户造成不利影响。具体而言，研究确定可在奥基乔比湖周边建设80口ASR井。

《CERP ASR区域研究最终技术数据报告》于2015年经NRC审查。NRC认可报告结论，但指出若干仍需持续研究的不确定性问题与主题。2020年，SFWMD与USACE发布了《奥基乔比湖流域恢复项目（LOWRP）综合项目实施最终报告及环境影响声明》（PIR/EIS）。LOWRP PIR/EIS中提出的推荐方案包括80口ASR井、一处湿地衰减设施（浅蓄水塘）及两处湿地恢复区域。

在PIR/EIS的公众审查阶段，利益相关方对NRC审查中强调的ASR遗留不确定性问题表达了关切。在2019年7月的理事会会议上，SFWMD承诺制定科学研究计划，随ASR井的分阶段建设同步调查这些不确定性问题。本《ASR科学计划》作为首部此类计划，正是该承诺的成果。

随着ASR项目的实施及相关数据、研究成果的涌现，本计划将按年度或按需更新。本计划的制定得到了由佛罗里达知名学者与科学家组成的独立ASR同行评审小组的指导。本文件列出了ASR项目推进过程中拟开展的初步研究与调查计划。

同行评审小组将每年对本计划进行审查，以了解研究进展，并协助制定未来研究方向，确保ASR技术以科学引领、分阶段的方式实施。本出版物延续了SFWMD与USACE的承诺，即在南佛罗里达生态系统恢复工作推进过程中与公众保持沟通。